More HOPE for affordable housing

November 09, 2011 11:00 pm • Last Updated: November 09, 2011 10:52 pm

By By LEE HOWARD Day Staff Writer

Carlos Rodriguez and his wife, Dagma Blondet, tour a Housing Opportunities for People home they hope to buy on South Ledyard Street in New London Wednesday prior to a dedication and open house ceremony.

NL project completes federally funded rehab

New London - Dagma Blondet's eyes grew wide Wednesday as she toured the upstairs of 25 S. Ledyard St., a newly renovated home that she and husband Carlos Rodriguez hope to buy from the affordable housing group HOPE Inc.

"I love this house," Blondet, who has three children, said. "This is our dream house."

Blondet later cut the ribbon during a dedication ceremony for the four-bedroom home that was attended by about 30 people, including Mayor Martin Olsen.

This was the first time Blondet had seen the fully renovated home, which she has had her eye on since the group known as Housing Opportunities for People bought it out of foreclosure two years ago. She and her husband currently are in a rent-to-own HOPE home elsewhere in the city.

"The upstairs is gorgeous," she said. "I love the kitchen. It's big."

HOPE purchased the home for $99,000 from Sutton Funding LLC with money from the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The group then spent nearly $95,000 renovating the home and plans to place it on the market for $145,000.

"This is an absolutely beautiful property," said Judi Cox, loan specialist for city's Development & Planning office and coordinator of the NSP program locally.

Cox announced that the city, which received an $867,000 infusion of federal funds supplemented by a $250,000 contribution from the city to buy up distressed properties, just received notice within the past few weeks that the state would release another round of funding. The $380,000 would be parceled out to the city's NSP partners - HOPE, Habitat for Humanity, Neighborworks/New Horizons and Eastern Connecticut Housing Opportunities - so each of them could renovate one more home in New London, she said.

"The City of New London just hopes you continue to do what you do," Cox said.

This was the second house HOPE has completed using federal grants, and it already has another renovation project at 77 Belden St. under way.

Ken Bird and Dave Smith, partners in Dependable Contracting Services LLC of Waterford, completed the renovations, which featured the addition of a dormer that focused architectural interest and light on the upstairs. People touring the home Wednesday were charmed by the nooks and crannies of the third floor, designed by architect Peter Springsteel and highlighted by a children's room where a low-ceilinged section doubles as a play area and storage space.

Downstairs, the expansive kitchen designed by The Kitchen Guy includes sparkling granite countertops and dark-stained wooden cabinets, as well as stainless steel, Energy Star appliances. The dining room has a built-in cabinet for dish storage, and the living room exudes warmth thanks to original woodwork from the 1924 Arts and Crafts-style home.

While HOPE executive director Marilyn Graham worked to save much of the home's original character, she also incorporated changes to make it more livable (and affordable) today. A new, efficient heating system was installed, and an extra bath and laundry room were added as well.

"This is a good neighborhood," Graham said. "People are happy to see (the home) renovated."

l.howard@theday.com