Center Street Supportive Housing Apartments to Open in January [VIDEO]

State and local dignitaries, including Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Mayor Leo V. Diana, were on hand Monday to cut the ribbon at the new supportive housing development on Center Street. 

The 27,000-square foot development located at 487 Center St., known as the Center Street Supportive Housing Apartments, is the first of its kind in Manchester to combine permanent and affordable housing for individuals of low income or with special needs coupled with a range of support services, such as crisis intervention and health and social services referrals, so that residents of the development can achieve stabile, productive lives.

The three-story apartment complex, which will open in mid-January, will consist of 20 units, 10 of which dedicated to individuals with special needs or who were previously homeless. 

The $6.57 million development was paid for by a combination of state aid and grants from a number of agencies and $245,000 from Community Health Resources, a non-profit agency that will operate out of the ground floor of the building and provide the 24-hour support services to the residents. 

"I'm a big, big advocate of supportive housing," Malloy said, noting that he advocated for such developments as the longtime mayor of Stamford. "You know, a pat on the back, a reminder to take appropriate medications, a word of encouragement, goes so far in keeping someone as a contributing member of our society." 

Although the funding for the project was largely secured before Malloy assumed office in January, he said he supported the development and hoped to see many more of its kind throughout Connecticut, not just because it was the moral thing to do but also because the support services offered by the development would help residents become productive members of society. 

"I actually believe it is one of the most important investments that we can make in the state of Connecticut, to be supportive of our fellow citizens, to do things like lowering crime and restoring respect and getting people back into the job market," Malloy said. 

Diana said the Center Street Apartments were just the latest example of what has made Manchester such a strong, vibrant and inclusive community through the years. 

"My dad used to tell me that you are born into this world and dealt a hand of cards that you must play; no two people are dealt the same hand," he said. "Life is not fair, it's a struggle. In Manchester we provide services to all of our residents from birth to three to seniors and everything in between. Why? Because we recognize the need in our society and the benefit to our community. This community sticks together. We help each other." 

Iris Cruz, who had been helped by a similar CHR sponsored supportive housing program, then told the crowd of more than 100 the story of her life on the streets battling drug addiction due to an abusive relationship, and how supportive housing helped her break the cycle and start a new and better life. 

"When I looked at that apartment that the case manager showed me, I fell in love," Cruz said. "A place that I can call my home. No more sleeping in abandoned buildings and dirty hallways, somebody believing in me, and I finally believe in myself."