Simsbury Council Will Lead Inclusive Housing Effort With Grant

SIMSBURY, CT — Simsbury has received $10,000 from a Hartford-based community foundation, and it will use the funds to run a yearlong community engagement project aimed at building support for inclusive housing in town.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving donated the money to the Simsbury SPIRIT (Site Problem Identification and Resolution of Issues Together) Council, a group created through the First Church of Christ Simsbury that helps the town become more inclusive by fostering awareness and action.

It will be used to support the engagement, education and organizing of residents on issues of housing segregation, housing choice, housing quality, and pathways to more inclusive housing development, officials said.

To accomplish this, the SPIRIT Council will lead a one-year community engagement and education process that includes surveys, speaker events, community conversations, story sharing, curated library materials and social media.

Progress will be measured by assessing Simsbury residents, prospective residents, and other stakeholders before and after the yearlong effort.

"The grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving will allow us to focus on the critical work of housing, leading efforts to engage, educate, and create meaningful change in pursuit of more inclusive housing in Simsbury," said Cheryl Cook, SPIRIT Council co-chair and housing grant project manager.

First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis thanked the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving for recognizing her town.

"The Board of Selectmen will always support diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in our community," Mackstutis said. "This is a great opportunity for our SPIRIT Council and First Church, as both are champions of inclusive housing."