Affordable Housing Complex Project Eyed In Guilford

GUILFORD, CT — Guilford has started the planning process of creating an affordable housing complex on Sawmill Road.

On May 25, Guilford’s Board of Selectmen held a special meeting on the Community Development Block Grant Program, where they approved sending an application in an amount not to exceed $1 million.

Andrew Woodstock, a consultant for ECHO, told Guilford’s Board of Selectmen the purpose of the application is to secure funding to assist in developing new residential cottage-style homes on an undeveloped parcel of land owned by the town.

Adding that the goal is to provide housing in a setting that enhances the overall environment and blends with the character of the existing neighborhood, Woodstock said.

First Selectman Matt Hoey said Guilford owns about an 11-acre parcel of land on Sawmill Road. He said the location would be a good opportunity for an affordable housing complex.

Hoey said the town filed an intent to apply for a CDBG grant with the State Department of Housing in April. He added that the grant funding is for pre-development costs and the potential developer.

Hoey said the town does not intend to be the project developer.

Woodstock told the selectmen that the CDGB, also known as Small Cities, is limited to towns with a population of less than 50,000 and provides funding to achieve local community and economic development activity to benefit low and moderate-income residents.

Hoey said Guilford would be soliciting a request for a proposal for a developer and concept design for the project, modeling the Neighborhood New Horizons Woodruff property project and the Great Hill Road Cottages on State Street.

The project will be done in two phases.

The first phase is the development and completion of the plans, specifications, and approvals for residential lots, including infrastructure required by site conditions to access and utilize the property, while limiting the impact on the building of the structures.

The second phase will occur at a later date and will involve the building of the structures.

Woodstock told the selectmen the structures would be new homes and would not involve relocating any people or families.

The home sizes will vary, explained Woodstock. He said some will be a 1,300 square foot two-bedroom home, and others will be a 1,700 square foot three-bedroom home.

Woodstock said the homes would be constructed to the Department of Energy net-zero standard and be subject to a 30-year deed restriction for residents below 80 percent of the area’s median income.