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10/25/2024 05:22 PMPress Release, Beacon Communities
On Oct. 22, Beacon Communities celebrated the grand opening of Shoreline Grove Apartments, a transformative redevelopment project of the former Parkside Village I state public housing complex. The ribbon-cutting ceremony included remarks from Senator Richard Blumenthal, DOH Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno, CHFA CEO Nandini Natarajan, HUD Connecticut Public Housing Director Jennifer Gottlieb Elazhari, Elm City Communities Executive Director Karen Dubois-Walton, PhD., Branford Housing Authority former chair and Branford Affordable Housing member Doug Denes, Parkside Village I and Shoreline Grove resident Dave D’Amelio, and Beacon Communities CEO Dara Kovel.
Originally built in the early 1970s, Parkside Village I was plagued by a host of challenges, including extremely undersized studio and one-bedroom apartments, deteriorating conditions, and poor accessibility. In 2013, then-owner Branford Housing Authority determined the community needed a comprehensive redevelopment and chose Beacon Communities as their development partner.
Beacon transformed Parkside Village I into Shoreline Grove, creating 67 modern apartment homes with 60 affordable units and seven market-rate units. Twenty percent (20%) of the apartments are designated as permanent supportive housing units and are reserved for individuals experiencing homelessness. The original Parkside Village I residents moved into their new homes in April 2024. The community was fully leased in August.
“Today, we celebrate not just the opening of Shoreline Grove, but the realization of state policy in replacing and expanding housing for Branford’s lower-income residents,” said Dara Kovel, CEO of Beacon Communities. “This project demonstrates our dedication to preserving affordability options for existing residents while creating new opportunities for economic integration and sustainability through innovative design,” Blumenthal said.
Small, aging studios and one-bedroom apartments were replaced with generous one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. The building provides various amenities for residents, including a community space, computer room, fitness center, and dedicated resident service programs. Beacon has worked closely with residents per a 2016 Resident Participation Agreement, ensuring community voices are recognized.
“Investing in affordable housing is critical as Connecticut residents experience the strain of the housing crisis. The Shoreline Grove project creates 60 units of affordable and permanent supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness. I am proud to advocate for federal tax credits for projects like this one, and I will continue to fight for expanded housing options.”
Funding for Shoreline Grove was made possible through a combination of 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), federal LIHTC equity, DOH subordinate debt, Federal Home Loan Bank soft debt, private construction and permanent debt, and Section 8 project-based vouchers from Elm City Communities. Branford Housing Authority is the long-term ground lessor. The community serves a diverse economic demographic with varying levels of affordability for households at 30%, 50%, and 60% of the Area Median Income as well as market rate.
“Comprehensive projects like Shoreline Grove illustrate just how complex the financing behind bringing these developments to fruition can be,” said DOH Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno. “Serving households from 30% to 60% of the area median income, and having supportive units will produce a very diverse community. I applaud the persistence, dedication, and efforts of the stakeholders involved to make this happen.”
“Shoreline Grove reflects the strength of public-private partnerships in expanding affordable housing while creating opportunities for economic diversity,” said Natarajan. “CHFA is proud to support this development, which provides high-quality homes for Branford’s residents and ensures the most vulnerable are supported with dignity and sustainability.”
The redevelopment of Shoreline Grove realizes critical outcomes of increasing quality affordable housing options, economic integration, and improved living conditions for vulnerable populations. The community is also built to Passive House design standards, furthering the state’s sustainability goals.