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Worth Every Penny

In August 2012, then-governor Dannel Malloy announced that a $2 million Competitive Housing Assistance for Multifamily Properties (CHAMP) grant was awarded to the Guilford Housing Authority for nine units of elderly/handicapped housing. These units were to join the existing 40 apartments at Boston Terrace and all nine were to be wheelchair accessible. In due time two more grants, a STEAP grant of $150,000 and a $45,000 energy rebate, were awarded.

The total project cost was $2,088,000 with the state, in the end, contributing $1,893,000 of that total. These award winning homes opened in December 2013 and were immediately filled. There is an ongoing wait list for them.

The apartments, though small by some standards, offer those in wheelchairs access (heretofore only 4 of the older 40 units offered wheelchair accessibility). By access, I mean lower counters and cupboards, large bath areas, wider doorways and turning possibilities, etc. In other words, they are specifically designed for anyone needing such a home and, as the other housing units the authority owns and manages in Guilford, for affordability. Adding to the concept of affordability, these nine units offer solar photovoltaics.

It is, therefore, my opinion that this housing is worth every penny that was spent on its existence.

Betsy Sterzel

Guilford