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Bridgeport Gets Affordable Housing Boost

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Connecticut Light & Power, a subsidiary of Hartford-based Northeast Utilities, recently presented five Bridgeport nonprofits with $1.7 million in tax credits to promote construction of low- and fixed-income housing.

Funding was presented to: Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust, Inc.: $500,000; Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County: $429,000; Boston Avenue Supportive Housing (Alpha): $205,882; Seymour Hollander Apartments: $500,000; and Mutual Housing of Association: $100,000.

“Quality affordable housing is such a priority in all cities, and this financial assistance is such a boon,” Mayor Bill Finch said. “These nonprofits do such important work on very tight budgets. Northeast Utilities’ assistance is greatly appreciated.”

The Housing Tax Credit Contribution Program is run through the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) with a goal of promoting financial support for affordable housing.

State Sen. Andres Ayala Jr. said the work of these nonprofits and other similar organizations has helped Bridgeport become the only major city in the state to see a reduction in chronic homelessness.

During the last 15 years, CL&P has contributed nearly $90 million to affordable housing by utilizing tax credits. During the last three years, utilizing the Neighborhood Assistance Act, the CHFA’s Housing Tax Credit Contributions and Historic Homes Tax Credits, CL&P has distributed more than $34 million in tax credits.

“We deeply appreciate CL&P’s generous support of our work to build decent, affordable homes for hard-working Bridgeport families. For three years they have helped Habitat in its work across Fairfield County,” said Bruce Berzin, co-president and COO for Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County. “Once again this year, CL&P’s purchase of the tax credits allocated to Habitat through Connecticut’s Housing Tax Credit Program will be hugely helpful as we continue working to provide the affordable housing so desperately needed here.”

Tax credits purchased by CL&P also assisted Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust in two projects: a mixed-income, mixed-use project downtown at 570 State St. and a neighborhood stabilization project in the City’s South End.

By:  Posted date: December 13, 2013 In: Fairfield, Government, Nonprofits

6th Annual Gourmet Tasting & Expo Goes Above and Beyond

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On Thursday, November 14th, 2013, Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County hosted the 6th Annual Gourmet Tasting & Expo to benefit its Women Build program at Aitoro Appliances in Norwalk. This annual event is a major fundraiser for the Women Build program, which encourages and empowers women to make a difference by building homes and communities.  Our coalition of Fairfield County women is addressing the critical shortage of affordable housing by volunteering their time to raise funds for, and build, Habitat homes in their communities.

The addition of the Women Build Expo this year gave local women-owned and women-oriented businesses a chance to showcase their products and services in a fun and exciting environment full of Habitat and Women Build supporters.  Throughout the night, guests were able to experience a variety of local restaurants and caterers, as well as sample services and products from over 20 local businesses.  Additionally, over 30 local businesses donated a gift for our Raffle, which helped raise a good portion of proceeds for the night.

In an inspiring fashion, Tony Aitoro, played auctioneer for our Parts of a House Auction.  With genuine passion and emotion, Tony moved guests, vendors and many of his own employees to bid on the doors, windows, insulation, toilets, sheetrock, paint and more needed to complete the program’s 9th home.  When all was said and done, a total contribution of over $29,000 was raised to complete the construction of the Burgos family home.

Tony jokes with Luis Burgos and his 2 girls as he tries to encourage a guest to bid on the home's insulation

Tony jokes with Luis Burgos and his 2 girls as he encourages guests to bid on the home’s insulation

The event, sponsored by Aitoro Appliances, Mitchells of Westport, Lillian August Designs,  Hemingway Custom Cabinetry,  Vincent Palumbo Salon, and Garcon Photography, will help a deserving, low-income family of six achieve their dream of first time homeownership.  Luis and Elizabeth Burgos and their four children currently live in a two bedroom apartment on the East Side of Bridgeport with a kitchen so small they cannot share a meal at the same table. When they move into their Habitat home, their children, Manuel, 17, Keyla, 16, Alisha, 10, and the youngest Xavier, 2, will finally have the opportunity to play outside in the backyard and invite their friends over. They will each have a desk where they can complete homework and, in the future, write their college essays. The Burgos Family is eagerly awaiting the first night in their new home where they can actually sit together and enjoy dinner as a family.

For more pictures from the event, click here!

 

 

This Veteran says ‘Hats off to Habitat’

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I have been a Habitat volunteer for many years and have had a chance to work on many of the 177 homes built by Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County. As a Viet Nam Veteran, the project that has given me the most personal satisfaction is the recent completion of the first home built specifically for a deserving military veteran.

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