Affordable housing plan moves forward

For two decades, New Milford's Housing Partnership has been a devout advocate for developing low-cost housing.

Through its non-profit arm, New Milford Affordable Housing, Inc., the partnership bought and renovated several properties for families to rent and eventually purchase.

In the last year, the partnership won approval to rezone 7.5 acres on Fort Hill Road from business to multi-family to accommodate a 40-unit affordable housing complex it calls Indian Field.

The non-profit was able to purchase the land for $400,000 through assistance from Union Savings Bank and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, a non-profit subsidiary of the Ford Foundation. The next step is to obtain financing to build the estimated $6.5 million project, which will consist of one-to-four-bedroom apartments.

"This is a puzzle with quite a few pieces," said New Milford Housing Partnership Chairman Brooks Temple, who serves as vice president of New Milford Affordable Housing, Inc., and is a member of the town's Zoning Commission.

The partnership is joining with non-profit developer, Alderhouse Residential Communities in Middletown, seeking financing.

"This is a really great project, and the New Milford Affordable Housing, Inc., has done just a terrific job getting it to this point," said Alderhouse principal Jim Dunn. "This area of the state is probably one of the highest-cost housing areas in the country, never mind Connecticut."

The partnership plans to apply early next year to the Connecticut Housing and Finance Authority for its low-income tax credit program for funds to begin construction.

In addition, Mr. Temple said, they will be seeking state economic development funds and foundation grants, as well as below-market-interest mortgage loans.

"It's going to happen," Mr. Temple said. "It's not an if, it's a when."

- Nanci Hutson