New Haven Housing Authority Moves to Buy 65 Hill Apartments

NEW HAVEN, CT — The New Haven Independent reported that the Housing Authority of New Haven board voted unanimously Tuesday, Oct. 20, to deliver and execute a Letter of Intent for the purchase of 65 Hill units. Shenae Draughn, president of Elm City Communities, which includes the housing authority, told commissioners the properties are clustered near Hurlburt and Rosette streets. Many units are vacant, and some are in poor shape, the Independent reported.

The Properties the Board Wants to Buy

The letter covers properties owned by the affordable housing nonprofit NeighborWorks New Horizons. They sit on Howard Avenue, Davenport Avenue, Putnam Street, Hurlburt Street and Rosette Street, and together contain 65 units.

The New Haven Independent reported that commissioners also approved pre-development work at the same meeting to replace the building at 25 Wilmot Rd. that houses the West Rock Community Center. Staff found the building no longer useful, and the replacement may have a pool. Commissioners raised the Housing Choice Voucher payment standard to keep pace with rising Fair Market Rents in New Haven. William Kilpatrick is chair; Danya Keene is vice chair.

The Estimate Is $3 Million, Subject to Appraisal

Draughn gave a working purchase price estimate of $3 million for all 65 units, subject to appraisal, according to the New Haven Independent. “When we have a number, we'll come back to you,” she told the board.

The next step after the letter is delivered and accepted is an appraisal. Draughn said the housing authority is assessing building conditions, rehabilitation needs and the debt that would have to be paid off before any sale.

Keene asked what share of the units is currently occupied. Draughn answered that there are many vacancies.

Draughn Says the Units May Be on the Market

Draughn said her impression was that NeighborWorks New Horizons had put the units on the market after the challenges of Covid and as it shifted its focus to other parts of the city for affordable housing development, as reported by the New Haven Independent. She cited a statewide need of 70,000 affordable units and called a large cluster of available buildings a real opportunity.

If the purchase goes through, the 65 units would join Elm City Communities' scattered-site housing, the New Haven Independent reported. Elm City Communities' larger on-site developments include Union Square and the former clock factory site on Hamilton Street. Draughn said the goal is to make the buildings affordable and livable.

The letter is a first step, not a sale.

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