Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced the state has awarded $600,000 in Small Cities grants for two regional housing programs.

 

“Municipalities must think regionally on mutual problems, where mutual solutions can save money, energy and personnel. These two housing programs demonstrate how our communities are working together on common-sense approaches to solve issues that each town faces,” said Governor Rell. “We want to help smaller communities in a variety of development activities, especially in meeting the affordable housing needs of their citizens.”

 

The federally funded Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program is supplying the grants for the following communities:

 

Ellington will receive $300,000 to continue its regional housing rehabilitation program that also serves Somers and Suffield. Qualified low- to moderate-income residents can apply for affordable or deferred loans to renovate their homes. The program, which has been in existence since 1997 and has assisted 92 homes in need of urgent repairs, is in high demand with a current waiting list of 36 properties.

 

Hampton has been awarded $300,000 to continue its multi-town housing rehabilitation program that includes Chaplin, Scotland, Eastford and Pomfret. The towns expect to repair 10 units of low- and moderate-income housing.

 

Small Cities, through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, provides grants to eligible municipalities for economic development, affordable housing, community facilities and services, and downtown revitalization projects. The state’s Department of Economic and Community Development (www.decd.org) administers the funds.