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04/02/2019 12:00 AMSupport was strong at the March 27 public hearing held to discuss applying for an $800,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to be used for projects at the Cherry Hill Complex.
The 23-unit, affordable housing complex located at 218 Middlesex Turnpike is in need of some renovations, including sidewalk and parking area renovations; new, energy-efficient windows throughout; and heating pumps and cooling repairs. To pay for these repairs and renovations, the Town of Chester, with the consent of the town residents and the Board of Selectman, will now move forward with the 300-page block grant application, which will be sent to the state for approval sometime in the next two weeks.
The $800,000 the town is seeking is anticipated to cover all needed costs including the consultation, permitting, and architectural fees.
“Although we will not hear if the grant has been awarded to us until sometime next fall, we are optimistic and hopeful that all will go well,” said First Selectman Lauren Gister. “These repairs are desperately needed at Cherry Hill and the town wants to make sure that it is giving its full support to the affordable housing units. Cherry Hill is the only affordable housing we have in town and we need to ensure that the property is safe and updated.”
Connecticut’s CDBG Program, also known as the Small Cities Program, provides funding and technical support for projects that achieve local community and economic development objectives. The program principally benefits low- and moderate-income residents and is only available to towns with populations of fewer than 50,000. Funding for the CDBG program is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
According to the state, the CDBG program receives and distributes more than $13 million each year and has administered more than $325,700,000 since 1982. All this money has been invested into Connecticut communities in need.
According to Gister, the Town of Chester has not applied for a block grant since the ’90s under former first selectman Martin Heft.
“If we get this grant it will be a great thing for the town and the residents. There are several large projects that need to be addressed at Cherry Hill and this grant would pay for those projects,” said Gister.