Hartford — Stonington, Ledyard and Montville are among the recipients of nearly $12 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Small Cities Program awards announced by the state Thursday to provide upgrades and improvements to local communities.

The Stonington Housing Authority will get $800,000 to renovate the Edythe K. Richmond Senior Housing Complex, which has 60 units of elderly housing. Improvements will include storm doors, windows, flooring upgrades, bathroom upgrades and work to make the units ADA compliant.

In Montville, $400,000 will go toward the town's first housing rehabilitation program and plans to rehabilitate 10 units of low- and moderate-income homes. Upgrades are expected to include roof replacement, heating systems, window replacement, lead paint and asbestos removal, and electrical and code upgrades.

"We are pretty excited. It's our first time in the program, it's our first foray into it," said Montville Mayor Ronald K. McDaniel. "But if we can help families in need, and help them stay in their homes, it's a great program."

The town initially plans to help 10 families with $30,000 to $40,000 in assistance each.

Under the state program, eligible applicants include smaller towns that have a population of not more than 50,000 residents.

The grants are awarded to the municipalities to facilitate projects that will enhance their communities in a variety of ways, including developing or preserving affordable housing, providing services to the most vulnerable residents, and creating and retaining jobs.

"These projects will help so many local communities increase quality of life and make our state an even more attractive place to live, work and do business," said Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in announcing the grants. "These are investments in our neighborhoods, in the people who live here, and in our economic future."

In Ledyard, officials were happy to hear the town received the funding for the third time.

The $400,000 going to Ledyard will help to continue its Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program that helps low- and moderate-income homeowners repair their homes.

Fifteen housing units are anticipated to be rehabilitated. Upgrades are expected to include roof replacement, heating systems, window replacement, lead paint and asbestos removal, and electrical and code upgrades.

In 2011, Ledyard received $300,000 and created the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program. Through the program, eligible homeowners can take out a loan for repairs — ranging from roofs to furnaces, to windows, to septic systems — that's to be paid without interest only when they transfer their property.

The town, which received another $300,000 in 2013, has been able to help more than 30 homeowners as a result.

"The program has been a great thing for the town," Mayor John Rodolico said. "In addition to assisting the homeowners, we've found that program is very beneficial for the actual area where the people live: homes that are sometimes run down can receive upgrades that approve appearance of the house and the neighborhood."

While the town expects to assist 15 homeowners with its latest $400,000 grant, Rodolico said there's a backlog of close to 30 residents who have applied to receive a loan.

Some of the other grant recipients include:

East Haddam, $800,000, for Phase II Oak Grove Senior Housing Complex. The East Haddam Housing Authority plans to make further improvements to the 36-unit Oak Grove Senior Housing Complex, which includes site-work improvements, kitchen upgrades and energy efficiency upgrades.

In Essex, $635,000 to the Essex Court Senior Housing Complex. The funds will be used to upgrade the existing septic system and go toward kitchen upgrades and energy efficient appliances.

In Jewett City, $800,000 will complete renovations at Ashland Manor Senior Housing, a 30-unit complex. Improvements include converting 12 studio apartments into one-bedroom units.

In Lisbon, the $400,000 will go toward the town's first housing rehabilitation program that will target 10 units. Upgrades are expected to include roof replacement, heating systems, window replacement, lead paint and asbestos removal, and electrical and code upgrades.

The CDBG Small Cities program is administered by DOH using federal funds allocated to Connecticut by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Funding criteria for the state-administered program are developed in an open and public process and are submitted for review and approval each year by the legislature's Appropriations, Housing and Planning and Development committees.

"The CDBG program is a great opportunity for our smaller towns to apply for, and receive, funding for important projects in their communities," Commissioner Klein said. "When the improvements to these homes are completed, it will have a positive impact on the residents who live there. In the State of Connecticut, we are making critical investments in housing that will have a lasting effect on individuals, families, and communities for years to come."

a.badelli@theday.com

Twitter: @TheDay_Ann