Lisa DeMatteis-Lepore, CFO of The Connection, Inc. (TCI), presided over a gathering yesterday to celebrate the beginning of construction on an affordable/supportive housing project in New London, Connecticut. The Diocese of Norwich designated TCI to develop the former St. Mary’s Star of the Sea parochial school into new housing.
CSH was an early funder of the project, making a $300,000 loan in 2014.
When completed, St. Mary’s will provide affordable housing units of which at least 6 will be designated supportive housing. TCI hopes to achieve occupancy by the summer of 2020.
In addition to CSH, Project funding comes from CHFA Low Income Housing Tax Credits, CT Department of Housing and C4C, a local Connecticut CDFI. The project also will receive Federal and state historic tax credits. According to architect Karin Patriquin, great efforts have been made to retain and restore important historical features of the building, not only on the exterior, but inside as well. St. Mary’s school was built in 1892.
The Most Reverend Michael Cote, Bishop of the Norwich Diocese, acknowledged the many parishioners and former students attending the groundbreaking, and said the 21 units of housing represent a “continuation” of the school’s purpose of serving the community.
Mayor Michael Passero of New London also attended and stressed the fact that while there is a lot of development activity in New London it was important that affordable and supportive housing for everybody be part of the future of the region.
TCI is a long- time partner of CSH in Connecticut. TCI has developed and supports hundreds of units of supportive housing.
