Connecticut State Department of Housing

 

Press Release

 

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Connecticut Department of Housing | Office of Communications

Primary Contact: Meghan Bard| 860-716-0816 | meghan.bard@ct.gov

For release: September 20, 2023

 

DOH DEPUTY COMMISSIONER MCGEE CUTS RIBBON OF NEWEST HARTFORD LAND BANK PROJECT

 

Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) Deputy Commissioner Brandon McGee, Jr. attended the ribbon cutting of 196 Homestead Avenue in Hartford with Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, Hartford Land Bank (HLB) CEO Arunan Arulampalam and others.

 

196 Homestead Avenue is a historic property located in the Upper Albany neighborhood of Hartford that was built in 1915. This six-unit rental property had been blighted and vacant for at least 15 years.

 

This Hartford Land Bank (HLB) project is part of its mission to identify, acquire, and redevelop – directly or through partnerships with government, nonprofit, and private sector partners – vacant, abandoned, tax-delinquent or distressed properties in Hartford. The goal of the redevelopment efforts is to improve the community and economic vitality of Hartford neighborhoods, ensure the long-term sustainability of impacted properties, and enhance the quality of life for residents and businesses.

 

This was the most dilapidated property HLB has received to date. The roof had collapsed, and the building had to be gutted. The only things that survived were the exterior brick and foundation.

 

Jose Salazar, a Hartford-based developer who took on the project, put on a new roof; repointed brick; installed new framing, windows, doors, floors, porches, stairs, kitchens, and baths and added a washer/dryer in each unit. Even with delays and challenges, renovations were completed in eight months.

 

DOH provided $5 million in seed funds for HLB to begin its work.

“DOH is so pleased to support such a great organization that turns blighted Hartford properties into places that Hartford families can call home,” said Deputy Commissioner McGee.

 

 

196 Homestead Ave ribbon cutting

 

 

 

196 Homestead Ave ribbon Cutting
(Before)

196 Homestead Ave after
(After)

 

 

Photo credits:

196 Homestead Ave before: Rex Fowler, Hartford Community Loan Fund

196 Homestead Ave after and ribbon cutting: Connecticut Department of Housing