Town Hall, P.O. Box 548, 27 Main Street, Salisbury, CT 06068
Affordable Housing
Salisbury Affordable Housing Commission (SAHC)
Meetings: The SAHC meets the second Wednesday of every month at 5:30pm in Town Hall. For agendas and minutes, please click here:
Agendas ♦ Minutes
Contact information:
If you have any questions about affordable housing in Salisbury or to let us know about a housing need for you or a family member, please contact:
Jocelyn Ayer
Housing Commission Coordinator
(860) 435-5855
jayer@salisburyct.us
SAHC Mission: To facilitate and promote the creation of affordable housing in the Town of Salisbury.
NEWS:
Housing Resources Open House: Sunday, March 3rd, 2 to 4pm
Want to learn more about the resources that are available to help bring more housing options to those who live, work, and volunteer in town? Come to Scoville Memorial Library on Sunday, March 3rd, 2-4pm for the "Salisbury Affordable Housing Open House". Jocelyn Ayer, Housing Commission Coordinator, will be on hand to answer any questions and provide information on the housing resources now available including: down payment assistance, first time- homebuyer opportunities, accessory apartment funding, home rehabilitation loans, rentals, and how you can help create housing opportunities. Leo Gafney from the Salisbury Housing Trust will also be on hand to take applications for the Housing Trust’s next home and answer questions.
Press Release (January 28, 2013): Need Home Repairs but Can’t Afford Them?
Now Taking Applications for Housing Rehabilitation Program
The newly established Regional Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program is now taking applications from residents who need to make critical home repairs. The Program provides no interest loans to income eligible property owners. These loans would not need to be repaid until the home is sold, transferred, or refinanced.
Eligible rehabilitation projects under this Program include wells, septic, heating updates, plumbing repairs, electrical, roofing, and weatherization, such as insulation, window replacement, and siding. To be income eligible property owners must have household incomes at or below 80% of the area median income. For example, a family of four would be eligible with a gross household income of $64,400 or less, a two person household can earn up to $51,550 and a one person household can earn up to $45,100. For the application form, click here. For a brochure describing the program, click here. If you have any questions, call Jocelyn Ayer (contact info above) or Patrice McGrath at 435-5187.
Press release (January 9, 2013): Guidelines & Application for Salisbury Affordable Housing Fund:
At the Commission’s January 9th meeting, Guidelines for the Salisbury Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF) were formally adopted. For a copy of the Guidelines and application form click here.
SAHF funds may be disbursed per Town Ordinance #112 to facilitate the creation of Affordable Housing units in Salisbury. Any entity that intends to create affordable housing is eligible to apply for an interest- free loan. Non-profit organizations with experience and a mission that includes the creation of affordable housing may request grant funds of up to $5,000. Funding provided for feasibility studies will be forgiven if the project proves infeasible.
Help renting apartment in your home: Need help with credit and background checks on potential tenants? Now, property owners can get a background and credit check done by a professional rental management company. Click HERE for more information or by call Jocelyn Ayer, Housing Coordinator at 435-5855.
Press Release May 3, 2012: Women’s Institute purchased Lakeview Apartments yesterday. “When we heard this apartment building was being sold, we were immediately concerned about losing rental units that are currently affordable for those who live and work in town. So we invited Women’s Institute for Housing & Economic Development out to look at the property and help us save it,” said Bob Riva, Chair of the Salisbury Affordable Housing Commission. (For the full press release click HERE)
TAKE THE CONFIDENTIAL SALISBURY HOUSING NEEDS SURVEY:
Click Here: (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/G7B5SXN)
Do you work or volunteer in the Town of Salisbury but cannot afford to live here? Do you live in Salisbury now but can’t afford to stay? The Salisbury Affordable Housing Commission wants to know. Please take this confidential online survey if you need housing you can afford in the Town. The short, eight question survey includes questions about whether you are interested in home ownership or rental opportunities and whether you are having trouble affording the home you are in. We look forward to hearing from you and working to create housing opportunities that address the specific needs in our community.
Press Release February 21, 2012: The Salisbury Affordable Housing Commission, in conjunction with its consultant, Women's Institute for Housing and Economic Development, has entered into a 90-day option agreement with St. Mary’s Church of Lakeville to evaluate jointly the possible use of a parcel of Church property for workforce housing. Workforce housing is affordable housing for moderate-income wage or salaried workers in the municipalities where they work. The property is located between the Church’s Wells Hill Road parking lot and Farnum Road and Perry Street. To view the Lakeville Journal article on this click here. (Please link click here to: http://www.tricornernews.com/content/church-property-site-housing)
Just released- a new "Citizen's Guide" on helping to create affordable housing in Salisbury. Wondering how you can help support affordable housing options for those who live, work, or volunteer in Salisbury? CLICK HERE (link to attached brochure).
A report released July 2011, ranks the Town of Salisbury as the 7th least affordable town in the State of Connecticut. This report "Affordability in Connecticut, 2010" by Partnership for Strong Communities, compares the Town's 2010 median household income to the 2010 median home sales price in Salisbury and finds a gap of $118,029 between the median household income and what that household would need to earn to qualify for a mortgage on the median priced home." For more information and to see the full report (CLICK HERE)
New Homeownership Counseling & First time Homebuyer Services available in Sharon, CT through Housing Development Fund (Click HERE for more information).
Links & Information about Affordable Housing organizations who serve Salisbury:
Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Connecticut- works with volunteers to promote home ownership by building houses in partnership with residents in need of adequate housing. They have built 8 homes to date and serve the six-town area of Canaan, Cornwall, Falls Village, Norfolk, Salisbury, and Sharon. For more information on donating, volunteering, or becoming a Habitat homeowner, visit their website or call (860) 435-4747.
Salisbury Housing Committee (SHC)- oversees 24 units of low income rental housing in Salisbury including Sarum Village and Faith House. For information about the SHC contact President of the Board, Anne Kremer at 860-596-4048. For information about rentals contact Site Manager, Frank Catuccio at 860-435-0049.
Salisbury Housing Trust- build single family two and three bedroom homes which will be priced to sell well below the current median home sales prices. They have built 10 homes to date and serve those who work, reside, or volunteer in Salisbury. For more information on donating or becoming a Housing Trust homeowner, visit their website or call Leo Gafney at (860) 435-2173.
HousingUs Accessory Apartment Program- assists homeowners through the process of creating an apartment in their homes or on their property- from design to permitting and tenant selection. They have also created a guidebook for homeowners in Salisbury. For more information or a copy of the guidebook, call the program coordinator Jocelyn Ayer at 413-229-0370 ext.105 or visit our website.
New Homeownership Counseling & First time Homebuyer Services available in Sharon, CT through Housing Development Fund (Click HERE for more information).
Related Reports & Information:
Affordable Housing Report 2010- “Preserving Salisbury’s Vitality: Housing for Tomorrow”This report describes the need for affordable housing and identifies strategies for meeting these housing needs in four main areas- location & infrastructure, regulations, organization, and finance.For the full report CLICK HERE.
A Citizen's Guide: What Can I Do to Help Create Affordable Housing in Salisbury? This guide describes the many ways that affordable housing can be created without public financing including supporting Salisbury’s non-profit housing organizations, donating land, and creating apartments. CLICK HERE for a copy of the guide or contact us for a paper copy.
Fair Housing/Equal Opportunity Information:
That the Town of Salisbury endorses a Fair Housing Policy to ensure equal opportunity for all persons to rent, purchase, obtain financing and enjoy all other housing-related services of their choice on a non-discriminatory basis as provided by state and federal law. (To see the full Fair Housing Resolution, CLICK HERE.)
For a copy of the Fair Housing Brochure, CLICK HERE. Copies are also available at Town Hall, Senior Center or the Library or by calling the Housing Coordinator.
Links:
The Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities
www.ct.gov/chro/
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
www.hud.gov/fairhousing