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Not What Was Approved

Back in late 2016, the town held public hearings on the Winn Development’s proposal to convert the old high school into age- and income-restricted senior housing. Every tax payer in town wants something good to come from this building and from what was proposed, this appeared to be the best use of it. Planning & Zoning along with the Town Council approved the plan as submitted. Seventy units of senior housing, 20 sold at market rates and 50 rented as affordable units. The developer promised over and over no Section 8 rent-subsidized housing is planned.

The development was contingent upon some financial help from the state in the form of tax credits and/or low interest loans. Finally on April 3, 2018, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) approved $1.42 million in tax credits for the project.

According to the CHFA approval, 200 Tyler Street will consist of 70 units, 50 of which will be affordable, and 20 will sell at market rates. But here is the kicker: Of the 50 low-income units, 14 are to be earmarked to support families or individuals who are “chronically homeless.”

The CHFA approval and what will be built now is not what was approved by the town. I wonder how the people living around the old high school feel about this plan now. Or, is this new use being hidden by the administration?

Richard Poulton

East Haven