WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Affordable housing is getting an upgrade in West Hartford.
Residents of the Fellowship Housing development in Bishop's Corner celebrated Tuesday alongside Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, Mayor Shari Cantor, and federal, state, and local stakeholders as Phase 1 of the expansion and redevelopment began.
West Hartford Fellowship Housing is affordable housing available for seniors and disabled people that spans 9 acres of land.
The organization said that 60% of those who live there live off an income of less than $1,350 a month, with more than 20% living off of less than $800 a month. Over 35% of residents receive social security and receive food stamps.
Fellowship Housing is fully occupied with a significant waiting list, according to the organization.
The new expansion project will replace 23 out of the 24 buildings on the property with 6 new buildings. The community will be increased by around 40% from 213 units to 300. The new units will be 80-110% larger than the current ones and will be equipped with new, updated appliances, amenities, and elevators in all multi-story buildings.
The entire project, to be done in four phases, will cost around $100 million.
Bysiewicz said the project doesn't just benefit the West Hartford community, but the entire state.
“Through this development, residents will have increased access to safe and conveniently located affordable housing," Bysiewicz said. "Thank you to West Hartford Fellowship Housing, the state partners, and many others whose tireless efforts made today possible.”
Cantor said that the town is committed to providing a wide range of housing options to its residents.
"Conveniently accessible to public transportation, the library, senior center, grocery stores, pharmacies, and healthcare, the redevelopment and expansion of Fellowship Housing will allow residents to life their lives in comfort, safety and dignity," Cantor said.
Clare Kindall, the president of West Hartford Fellowship Housing, said that the redevelopment has been in the works for 10 years.
"We are grateful to Mayor Cantor and the Town of West Hartford for their unwavering support, our residents for their patience and enthusiasm, and to Governor Lamont and his administration for making this dream a reality," Kindall said.
The redevelopment and expansion are made possible by the help of the Lamont administration, including the Department of Housing and Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, as well as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the West Hartford Town Council, and West Hartford’s State Legislative Delegation.
To learn more about West Hartford Fellowship Housing, head to their website.
Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com.
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