Stimulus money pays for housing renovation

Norwich - Norwich Human Services Director Beverly Goulet is looking forward to having six neighborhood parties this fall in downtown and Greeneville to show residents how federal stimulus money has transformed blighted, vacant properties into attractive homes.

"Six parties, that's what I like," Goulet said while standing in the gutted living room of a large, three-family house at 45-47 Division St. undergoing a $236,845 renovation by Eastern Connecticut Housing Opportunities.

Several city officials accompanied U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney on visits to two houses under renovation in a program that almost bypassed eastern Connecticut. When Connecticut initially received federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding, it was all allocated to the state's largest cities. Courtney objected, and Gov. M. Jodi Rell allowed Norwich and New London to compete for smaller grants. Both received the funding.

In Norwich, the city partnered with NeighborWorks of New London and ECHO, also of New London, with a goal of reopening at least 12 housing units.

The goal was easily reached. ECHO alone is renovating 12 rental units in four houses, and NeighborWorks is converting a house at 500 Boswell Ave. into four supportive housing units. NeighborWorks also has purchased a single-family house at 39 Oakridge St.

"I wanted to see the end game," Courtney said of his tour, "how the money was used."

Julie Savin, NeighborWorks director of real estate development in southeastern Connecticut, said the agency is trying to stretch the grant dollars as much as possible. Savin is serving as general contractor for the $275,000 renovation at 500 Boswell Ave. NeighborWorks used a $143,000 Neighborhood Stabilization Program grant for the project, and $52,000 in federal lead abatement funds from the city, and hopes to obtain $80,000 in low-income housing tax credits from the state.

Crews from the state alternative incarceration program helped to gut the house at no cost. Workers saved old but solid wooden cabinets in three kitchens, and sanded and stained them for reuse. They did the same with the old front door.

Gorin's Furniture in Norwich will donate four twin beds, and Bob's Discount Furniture donated a $4,000 furniture gift card to the project.

The house is expected to be completed by Oct. 15. NeighborWorks will rent the units to single adults who earn no more than 50 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), with a preference given to formerly homeless people. Norwich Human Services and Reliance House will provide support services to the residents.

Peter Battles, executive director of ECHO, said that five of the agency's 12 rental units being created in Norwich will be rented to families or individuals at or below 50 percent of AMI and seven to people at or below 80 percent of AMI.

ECHO's Norwich projects total $1.1 million for renovations at 45-47 Division St., 155 Boswell Ave., 122 Prospect St. and 154-156 Prospect St.

When Norwich designed its Neighborhood Stabilization Program, city officials singled out downtown and Greeneville, both historic residential areas that have declined significantly. Alderman H. Tucker Braddock, a longtime Greeneville businessman, said the Boswell Avenue neighborhood was once so stable, new families couldn't get in "unless someone died."

"It makes the neighbors so happy to see these houses come back," Goulet said.

c.bessette@theday.com

$867,750

federal grant received

6 foreclosed properties purchased and under renovation, including:

16 rental units

1 single-family home

Partnerships: NeighborWorks of New London and Eastern Connecticut Housing Opportunities of New London.