The Oxford Housing Authority is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant from the Connecticut Housing and Finance Authority and Department of Economic and Community Development in the amount of $1,060,000 for Crestview Ridge Senior Housing property.
Through a new initiative called State Housing Rehabilitation & Preservation, this first round of funding will be used for the rehabilitation or redevelopment of existing properties.
The Oxford Housing Authority Commission, in conjunction with grant writer Kathleen O’Neil, of O’Neil and Associates, LLC, applied for these funds, which are provided to qualified towns by the DECD in part to maintain and upgrade existing facilities for the state’s senior citizens.
Priority was 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.
In a press release June 22, Gov. Dannel Malloy explained his initiative and commitment to affordable housing in the state: “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. “My commitment to public housing is clear — we’ve invested $150 million in this biennial budget, and over nine years we will invest an additional $270 million. This support will restore leadership on this important issues and ensure we have safe, secure housing for Connecticut’s low-income families.”
It should be noted this is the first commitment to affordable housing preservation by the state in nearly 30 years.
SHRP, developed jointly by the DECD and the Connecticut Housing and Finance Authority, is a competitive initiative that provides funding to eligible sponsors to address capital improvements. The program is co-administered by both agencies. Visit www.decd.org or www.chfa.org for more information.
The town of Oxford has been very supportive and cooperative with the mission to sustain Oxford’s affordable senior housing. First Selectman George Temple said: “I am very pleased to have the senior housing facilities upgraded. We are continuing our efforts to improve Oxford’s services to its elderly citizens.”
Selectman Dave McKane said: “It is nice to see that more renovations to Crestview Ridge are ongoing. Obviously, it is something the town is taking an interest in … the well-being of its seniors and disabled citizens.”
Elaine Barrett, Resident Commissioner, Oxford Tenants Association President, and a resident of Crestview Ridge, said: “I think it’s absolutely fabulous. Everyone is looking forward to it. New kitchen cabinets with easily accessed pull-out shelves will be one of the highlights of the renovation. They will be such a benefit to our seniors and disabled.”
OHA Executive Director David Keyser said: “The Oxford Housing Authority is committed to maintaining a safe and contemporary residential environment for its senior citizens. As demographics change and the ‘baby-boomers’ reach retirement age the demand for decent affordable housing will rise. The Commissioners have been working hard to implement management and policy changes so we may position the Oxford Housing Authority to be Oxford’s premier source for affordable senior/disabled housing in our community.
“Earlier in our administration of the OHA we made recommendations to the Board of Commissioners to perform a Capital Needs Assessment,” Keyser went on. “This planning and the development of a long range pro forma is exactly what was required to communicate the needs of the Crestview Ridge complex and its seniors to DECD and CHFA to ensure the sustainability of senior housing in Oxford.”
Donna Lane, Oxford Housing Authority facility administrator/bookkeeper, said: “It has been difficult to watch my tenants struggle daily with appliances that are old, broken down and not self-cleaning, along with so many other things. This grant comes as a welcomed relief to the tenants, maintenance staff and me.”
Work will commence within the next 30 days and include items such as electrical upgrading, kitchen and bath remodeling, fire safety equipment upgrade, closet door replacement and other items identified in the Capital Needs Assessment.
