Ledyard Awarded $300,000 Grant

Ledyard has been awarded a $300,000 Small Cities grant to start a Residence Rehabilitation Loan Program that would provide loans to low-to-moderate income households for home repairs.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Friday that the state has awarded Small Cities grants totaling $12,342,000 to 28 Connecticut towns, including Ledyard, Stonington and Clinton.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program provides grants to eligible municipalities for economic development, affordable housing, community facilities and other revitalization projects. 

Ledyard applied for the funds in May. At the time, Town Planner Charlie Karno said the money would be made available in the form of deferred loans to eligible homeowners who meet economic guidelines. The loans would be interest-free and repayment could be deferred until the home is sold.

The improvements being made also must meet certain criteria. The program will help mostly with repairs related to practical needs, such as solving safety problems. Applicants could also use the loans to improve energy efficiency.

Karno said that septic system repairs are another area where Ledyard residents could use help. The program is actually fairly flexible. Loans could not be used to add decks or swimming pools, but “most of the things needed to keep a house in good repair you can do,” Karno said.

Stonington was awarded a Small Cities grant for $542,000 to renovate the Edythe K. Richmond Senior Housing. Clinton's grant of $680,000 will be used to renovate the Glenhaven Elderly Housing Complex. 

“For most Connecticut towns and smaller cities, budgets are stretched thin but their infrastructure needs and the housing needs of their residents haven’t diminished,” Malloy said.  “That’s why the Small Cities program — and the federal grants the program awards — are so critical.  The funding is key to these communities and their efforts to improve the lives of residents through housing programs and community projects.”