Plans to build apartments for homeless vets move forward

Griswold — Members of the LaFlamme-Kusek American Legion Post 15 have been trying for years to build a place where veterans can live and receive the services they need.

Governor M. Jodi Rell postponed issuing a $5.2 million grant to the post in late 2008, due to the economy, but she said she is now supportive of the housing plan.

The project entails building 18 single-bedroom apartments at the post's South Main Street property in Jewett City. The U.S. House of Representatives has approved $200,000 for the American Legion Veterans Housing Inc.

About $3.86 million will come from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, and the Department of Economic and Community plans to offer $500,000 if the project satisfies all federal requirements.

"This is an important project," Rell said in a statement Friday. "It meets our housing goals of helping all of Connecticut's citizens find affordable housing, especially veterans who have sacrificed so much for others, and it is a responsible reuse of an existing asset."