Lt Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor and other dignitaries celebrated on Tuesday the launch of an effort to rebuild and expand a roughly 50-year-old affordable housing community in West Hartford.
West Hartford Fellowship Housing currently provides 213 units of affordable housing in 24 buildings on a roughly 8-acre, town-owned property at 10-50 Starkel Road. The group got its start decades ago as area churches and synagogues rallied to fulfill the need for affordable housing for seniors.
A planned $100 million redevelopment will replace 23 buildings with six new ones over four phases, resulting in 300 units in modern buildings. The new apartments will be 80% to 110% larger than the existing units and come with modern appliances. Multistory buildings will have elevators.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of this exciting day as we break ground on an expansion and redevelopment that will not just benefit the community of West Hartford, but our entire state,” Bysiewicz said. “Through this development, residents will have increased access to safe and conveniently located affordable housing.”
Clare Kindall, pesident of West Hartford Fellowship Housing, said the redevelopment has been in the works for 10 years.
“We are grateful to Mayor Cantor and the Town of West Hartford for their unwavering support, our residents for their patience and enthusiasm, and to Gov. Lamont and his administration for making this dream a reality,” Kindall said.
