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Need to Do More Soon

Recently, Essex faced a decision about affordable and modestly priced housing as a part of a development. The public hearings on the issue highlighted that the public has little knowledge about affordable housing. Per state statute, all towns in Connecticut are required to have 10% of housing units affordable. Currently, we are at 3.8%. It will be challenging to provide more.

Affordable housing is rental and is defined as a percent of the median rent in the area, which is about $1,800. Affordable rents are 80%, 50%, or 25% of median. There are three affordable facilities in town: Essex Court, 36 units (50 waiting list), Essex Place, 22 units (74 waiting), and Spencer’s Corners, 17 units (waiting 72). There is an overwhelming need in Essex. Residents are mostly from Essex or have families nearby, and they are seniors, single mothers, and veterans.

Building affordable units is difficult because of the high cost of land and construction. The rent structure limits income, so recovering costs is impossible unless the land is free and there is a substantial state or federal subsidy. Because of this situation, a developer needs to have marketplace pricing for the majority of units in order to provide some affordable units. A developer can utilize the 8-30g statute that allows them to exceed usual zoning for setbacks, height, and density--build whatever they want — as long as 30% of units are affordable.

For Essex to show progress toward the 10% state mandate, we will need a developer to produce affordable units as part of a marketplace project. Converting a building, if available, is costly, and the income is limited.

Look at the waiting lists. We need to do more soon. If Essex does not demonstrate an effort to provide more affordable units, the state may not continue to be generous with funds for infrastructure projects, like the sidewalk on River Road. If the state doesn’t provide funds, we taxpayers pay from our pockets.

Janice Atkeson

Essex

Janice Atkeson is the chair of the Essex Housing Authority and the president of Essex Elderly and Affordable Housing, Inc.