Noank Elderly Housing Complex To Receive $270K

An elderly housing facility in Noank is among seven state-funded developments that will receive part of the state’s $10 million investment in state-funded public housing, the governor announced Wednesday.

Mystic River Homes has been awarded $269,825 for 51 units of elderly housing at the Mystic River Congregate facility at 205 Elm Street, the governor’s office said.

“Nearly 60 percent of the state’s public housing supply is more than 30 years old—it is deteriorating, it isn’t safe for families, and in some cases it is uninhabitable,” Governor Dannel P. Malloy said in a prepared statement.  He said the money would help ensure the state has safe and secure housing for low-income families. Money will support 561 public housing units.

State Sen. Andrew Maynard (D-Stonington) said there’s long been a waiting list for the housing at Mystic River, and now the option will be available to more people.

"Our senior citizens work all their lives to earn their retirement, and it is very important that each and every one have access to an affordable place to live,” he said.

State Rep. Elissa Wright (D-Groton) said the funding is welcome news.

“It will help Mystic River Homes Congregate Housing continue to provide frail older persons with a home-like residential setting where they can live independently with some service support, often near the community where they lived before, or where their children live,” she said.

Funding for the various projects will be used to expand existing apartments, replace heating and electrical systems, make units handicapped accessible, upgrade security and fire safety systems, improve roofing and windows and repair sidewalks.

The first round of funding would be spent to fix existing properties and make vacant units available again. That initiative would affect projects run by the Middletown Housing Authority, Glastonbury Housing Authority and Friendship Service Center of New Britain.

 "This is a worthwhile and very necessary state investment in its citizens," State Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain) said. "The way the economy has been for the past several years, more and more people are struggling with homelessness. I get a lot of calls from constituents who are long-term unemployed or who have crushing medical bills and they are looking for supportive services like housing." 

Other agencies that would receive money include the Wethersfield Housing Authority, which has 28 rental housing units; Mark Twain Congregate in Enfield, which has 82 elderly units for the frail elderly; and Mt. Carmel Elderly, which has 40 units in Hamden.