Construction Begins on Gini’s House – a $7.2 Million Development That Will Bring 18 Supportive Housing Units to Norwalk

NORWALK, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Community leaders and project partners joined today to celebrate the start of construction on Ginis House, an affordable supportive housing development in Norwalk that will bring 18 quality one-and two-bedroom apartments to the Norwalk community.

The $7.2 million project is a substantial rehabilitation of a vacant four-story building previously used as a skilled nursing facility. The building will be completely redesigned to incorporate a new interior layout including an elevator, all new mechanical and electrical systems, roof replacement, new windows and exterior siding.

Once construction is complete in spring of 2014, Ginis House will consist of 17 two-bedroom and 1 one-bedroom residential units. Amenities include central air conditioning, refrigerators, ranges, furnished units, security cameras, security staffing, an exercise room and a community room with computers and Internet access.

The property will also house on-site case management offices and support services for the residents that include education, job training and employment assistance. Additional support services will be provided to residents with special needs who are formerly homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

Safe and affordable housing for our workforce, the elderly, and our most vulnerable individuals and families is crucial to a healthy state economy and specifically to a diverse, stable workforce, said Connecticut Commissioner of Housing Evonne M. Klein. And when combined with the on-site services that are integral to Ginis House, this project promises to provide an example of what truly supportive housing looks like.

New Neighborhoods, Inc. (NNI), a Stamford-based nonprofit developer, is general co-partner and property manager for the project.Liberation Programs, a Norwalk-based behavioral health organization, is also a general partner and will be the service provider for the project. Enterprise Builders is the general contractor.

Ginis House will help provide affordable housing and critical support services for people with some of the greatest needs in our community, said Ross Burkhardt, president and CEO of New Neighborhoods Inc. We are so grateful for the support from our partners and the community in making this project a reality.

This project is an important part of a larger revitalization effort in Norwalk designed to create more affordable housing opportunities, said State Senator Bob Duff, who also attended the ceremony along with Norwalk Mayor Richard Moccia and State Representatives Chris Perone and Gail Lavielle. We are appreciative to all the partners for their commitment to our community and willingness to help people have a place they can call home.

UnitedHealthcare, through a partnership with Enterprise Community Investment, Inc. (Enterprise) has committed to provide $5.2 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity for the project. The investment brings together one of the nations top health and well-being companies and a leader in the affordable housing and community-development industry to provide innovative financing solutions for community development projects. UnitedHealthcare, through its Affordable Housing Investment Program, has provided more than $100 million in financing for community development projects throughout the United States, $54 million of which is in partnership with Enterprise.

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Construction Begins on Gini’s House – a $7.2 Million Development That Will Bring 18 Supportive Housing Units to Norwalk