East Haven Delegation Announces $300,000 Small Cities Grantto Rehabilitate 10 Affordable Housing Units

HARTFORD – State Senator Len Fasano (R-34), State Representative Michael Lawlor (D-99), State Representative Vincent Candelora (R-86), and East Haven Mayor April Capone Almon today announced that the Town of East Haven has been awarded a $300,000 Small Cities Block Grant by the state of Connecticut. The grant will be used to continue a town-wide housing rehabilitation program whereby deferred or low-interest loans are provided to income-eligible applicants to rehabilitate the town’s housing stock, helping to preserve structurally sound, safe and affordable housing options in East Haven.

“East Haven’s Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program has successfully provided quality, affordable housing to a number of hard working low-to-middle income families,” said Senator Fasano. “This grant will allow East Haven to rehabilitate 10 new affordable housing units that may otherwise have gone to waste. I am pleased to lend my support to this successful program.”

The Town of East Haven plans to use the grant to rehabilitate the 10 housing units with new roofs, windows, and other updates to make the homes safe and code compliant.

“The main purpose of the Small Cities Grant Program is to promote quality of life projects for small towns like ours,” said Representative Lawlor. “This funding for East Haven is an excellent example of our state and local governments operating together in a strong partnership to benefit the working families of our town.”

“I am delighted that East Haven has been awarded this grant,” said Representative Candelora. “This housing project is a vital project, and grants like the Small Cities grant allow investment in our towns without having to turn to local tax dollars for the improvements. I am also appreciative of DECD and Governor Rell keeping East Haven as a priority for this kind of funding.”

Since 2005, the Town of East Haven has used this loan program to rehabilitate more than 15 homes for low-to-middle income families. The Town has a waiting list of more than 30 applicants who depend on this rehabilitation loan program to conduct necessary home improvements.

“East Haven residents will benefit from this grant in so many ways. Our housing rehabilitation program would not be in existence without this funding,” said Mayor Capone Almon. “I am very grateful to Senator Fasano and State Representatives Lawlor and Candelora for their work on bringing this support to the people East Haven.”

The federal Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program funds the state Small Cities grants. The program, operated by Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, provides grants to eligible municipalities for economic development, affordable housing, community facilities and the revitalization of development projects.