Gentile hails rehab funding

HUD grant to subsidize upgrades to 10 properties in Ansonia 

State Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-104, joined Gov. Dannel P. Malloy Wednesday in welcoming funds for housing rehabilitation in Ansonia. 

A U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Small Cities Community Development Block Grant will subsidize renovations to 10 properties in Ansonia. 

The $300,000 grant, administered through Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development, will be used for lead testing and abatement, energy efficiency upgrades, code enforcement, electrical and plumbing improvements and window and door replacements.

“These subsidized projects create and retain local jobs that are critical to improving the distressed city of Ansonia and the local economy. I want to thank Governor Malloy for his support for local property upgrades that help protect public safety, people’s health and also keep neighborhoods livable,” Gentile said. “Projects such as this are one of the best ways Connecticut can reinvest in the community.”

“I’m very excited about the housing rehabilitation project in Ansonia, where this grant will not only underwrite energy efficiency upgrades and electrical and plumbing repairs, but also lead testing and remediation as necessary, to better protect residents from that potential environmental hazard,” state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, D-Woodbridge, said. “This seems to be a very cost-effective and creative use of public funding to help residents attain and enjoy a higher quality of life by making better housing available to them.”

“Expanding access to affordable housing is critical to strengthening the statewide economy and a major focus of my administration,” said Malloy said. “Over the next 10 years, the state will invest $500 million to revitalize and expand affordable housing options so that our cities and towns will be a better place to live, raise a family and do business.  These grants from the U.S. Department of Housing will go a long way to help us realize our goals, and we are appreciative of their recognition.”

A total of 31 Connecticut towns have been awarded a total of $10,987,840 through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program. 

The Small Cities Block Grant Program, administered by Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development, funds economic development, affordable housing, and other community revitalization projects.