Politics & Government
Canton Gets State Grant to Develop Affordable Housing
Specialized housing sets aside at least 20 percent of units for households earning less than 80 percent of median area income.
Canton is one of 10 Connecticut towns to receive a grant to start the process of adding a specific type of affordable housing, according to a release from Gov. Dannel Malloy's office.
The grant to Canton, of $20,000, is one of 10 given as an incentive for municipalities to create "incentive housing zones" in the towns. The grants are for predevelopment costs.
Incentive housing zones are described as residential or mixed-use developments that set aside a minimum of 20 percent of the units for households earning 80 percent or less of the area median income.
Malloy said increasing this type of housing is key to the state's economy.
“Our state’s ability to attract young workers, families and businesses that provide jobs and increased revenue is dependent on the availability of various types of housing opportunities,” Malloy said. “Incentive housing zones are an important tool that communities can use to promote high-quality workforce housing, revitalize vacant or underutilized properties, increase pedestrian activity, support businesses, and make better use of existing public infrastructure.”
The state Department of Housing (DOH) will award a total of $197,800 in funding through the Housing for Economic Growth Program, also known as HomeCT.
Other towns to receive the grant include: Brookfield, Burlington, Durham, Fairfield, Haddam, Milford, North Stonington, Ridgefield, and Stonington.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
