$9M In State CIF Grants Earmarked For Myriad New Haven Organizations

NEW HAVEN, CT — Thursday, city and state officials, and non-profit and community leaders gathered to celebrate four new state grants totaling over $9 million that have been awarded to New Haven organizations through Community Investment Fund 2030, Round 6.

On hand at the news briefing were Mayor Justin Elicker, Senate President Martin Looney and other members of New Haven’s state delegation, and nonprofit/community leaders.

The state established the CIF in 2021 to promote economic and community development in historically underserved communities across Connecticut. Through a competitive grant process, the CIF is committed to providing up to $875 million over the course of several years to eligible municipalities as well as nonprofit organizations and community development corporations operating within these areas.

Lawmakers and leaders spoke at 410 Orchard St., near the site of one of the two new affordable housing developments supported by the $6,121,390 CIF award to the Greater Dwight Development Corporation for its Community Building Initiative.

In attendance were Elicker, Looney; state Senator Gary Winfield, state Representative Juan Candelaria, state Representative Patricia Dillon, state Representative Steve Winter, Alder Frank Douglass, Jr., Anne Demchak, Board President, Greater Dwight Development Corporation, David Hunter, President & CEO, Mary Wade, Pastor Robert Kinney, Mount Hope Temple, and Dara Kovel, CEO, Beacon Communities.

Other CIF awards to New Haven organizations and projects from this CIF Round 6 CIF process include: Mary Wade Home, $700,000, Mount Hope Temple $250,000, and the United Way of Greater New Haven / Beacon Communities / Columbus House, $2 million.

Greater Dwight Development Corporation | Community Building Initiative | $ 6,121,390

Greater Dwight Development Corporation works to lead projects that address drugs, gang violence, economic development, employment, housing, and education. GDDC will use CIF funds to implement Phase 2 of its Greater Dwight Community Building Initiative, creating 11 units of affordable housing and community space for the local nonprofit and community-based organizations across two properties in the Dwight neighborhood.

Mary Wade Foundation | Residential Care Home Modernization |$700,000

The Mary Wade Home is a senior care organization serving low-income seniors (65+) in Greater New Haven, providing a full continuum of medical and social support. Mary Wade Home will utilize CIF funding to further plans for a major renovation and expansion of the Boardman Residential Care Home to address safety concerns and improve living conditions.

Mount Hope Temple | Mount Hope Temple Renovation Planning | $250,000

The Mount Hope Temple Church currently operates the Mount Hope Recovery Center Food Pantry. The grant will allow the church/food pantry to take steps towards increasing the number of families it serves per month, expanding to more of Greater New Haven, and operating a cooling/warming shelter for the homeless.

United Way of Greater New Haven | State and Chapel | $ 2,000,000

United Way of Greater New Haven (UWGNH) addresses urgent local issues in education, safe housing, food security, career development, financial education, and other vital services. In collaboration with Beacon Communities and Columbus House, UWGNH will leverage CIF support for State & Chapel, a mixed-income, mixed-use, transit-oriented housing project in downtown New Haven.