Hamden Elderly Housing to Get Makeover

Hamden will get a chunk of the $10 million to state has allocated to renovate a portion of its public housing stock.

The at 33 Woodruff St. has been awarded more than a million dollars to upgrade 40 units at the complex.

The complex, overseen by the Hamden Housing Authority, now has effeciency and one-bedroom units.

The apartments, available only to seniors, are handicap accessible and are located a block off of Whitney Avenue near the Route 40 connector.

In all the state plans to renovate existing units and add 561 units to its senior housing stock statewide as part of a 10-year, $420 million project to "expand and revitalize affordable housing across the state," according a release from Gov. Dannel Malloy's office.

“Nearly 60 percent of the state’s public housing supply is more than 30 years old—it is deteriorating, it isn’t safe for families, and in some cases it is uninhabitable,” Malloy said.

In addition to Hamden, the $10 million funding announced Wednesday will go to projects in a number of areas around the state, including Middletown, Glastonbury and New Britain. It is part of the State Housing Rehabilitation & Preservation (SHRP).

"Priority is given to housing developments with long-term operating plans that bring formerly vacant units back online, and in which the improvements will create safe and sustainable communities," according to Malloy's office.

"I would l like to thank Governor Malloy for his support for these projects and for taking the lead on securing the $1,063,839 grant for improvements at Mt. Carmel Congregate Senior Housing," Brendan Sharkey, House Majority Leader (D-Hamden) said. "I know first-hand that these upgrades will greatly improve the quality of life for residents."

Funding will be used to expand existing units, as well as handicapped accessibility modifications; modernization upgrades; repair/replacement of heating and electrical systems; improvements to enhance energy usage and savings (insulation, roofing, windows); security and fire system upgrades; and site improvements such as paving and sidewalk repair.

In Connecticut, there are 348 state-funded public housing properties with 14,132 units.  The units serve a variety of households who are at or below 80 percent of the local area median income.