| |
|
Welcome to this edition of
Mayor Carbone's Electronic Newsletter!
|
|
Greetings!
My goal, as I continue to reach out to our residents, businesses and visitors of Torrington, is to provide information emphasizing some of the issues that have peaked the interest of the general public.
This newsletter will focus on housing and some of the opportunities and challenges that we face as a small city. As one of the most basic needs of a community, the obligation we, as a municipality, have involves assessing the housing needs of the total community, population trends, economic resources, public resources and preservation of the character of our neighborhoods. Whether through the inspection of housing through the office of the Fire Marshal or Building Department, or planning for new development through the Land Use office and working with State and federal programs for housing rehabilitation or housing finance, the role a municipality plays in housing spans multiple functions.
The Partnership for Strong Communities publishes an annual Housing Data Profile for each town. The most recent profile for Torrington can be found at this link Here. The profile includes information and statistics on housing, demographics, and other pertinent data.
The topics discussed here are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to housing issues. As always, my office is open to questions, suggestions or concerns. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch should the need arise.
|
|
|
City Applies for Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program Grant
We are in the process of applying for a grant from the State of Connecticut to administer another round of the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program Grant. This program allows for low to moderate income eligible homeowners to apply for loan funds to update and fix various facets of their home.
Some of the eligible work that can be performed includes HVAC systems, roofs, windows, and other related activities. As part of our application, we are building a waiting list of eligible applicants to show the need for this type of program in our community.
If you, or someone you know may have an interest, more information can be found by clicking
Here or by calling the Mayor's office at 860-489-2228.
|
|
Recently, I traveled to Hartford to meet with the Evonne Klein, Commissioner of the state Department of Housing. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the state's priorities for housing. I feel it is very important to ensure that our state officials truly understand the needs and wishes of local towns as they make decisions. Torrington, and all of Litchfield County for that matter, is an aging community. There is a serious need for safe and modern housing for our seniors.
While the state's current focus is on family housing, I remain optimistic that they will recognize the growing need for support of senior housing in communities such as ours.
In addition to discussions regarding senior housing, we also discussed various other housing programs that are being created by the state. One program in particular, the Homeless Prevention and Response Fund would provide capital funding to eligible property owners to make needed repairs or to provide operating subsidies for uninhabited units which would then be rented to individuals facing homelessness. This program is currently in the developmental stage and is awaiting funding.
|
|
Sober Home Legislation Pushed
The issue of sober homes has been widely discussed for several years. Having lobbied our state delegation feverishly over the past few years I am proud to say that there are a number of bills being discussed in the legislature that aim to tackle this very subject.
On Wednesday, February 22nd, I spent the morning in Hartford testifying in support of legislation proposed to establish standards for sober homes that will ensure safe, sober living for individuals in recovery. There were many good questions posed by Legislative Committee members who recognize the balance this legislation must strike between the need to enact such legislation and the need to observe laws that are designed to protect individual’s rights under the Fair Housing Act and ADA regulations. My advocacy on this important legislation was also discussed in my meetings with our federal representatives in Washington seeking their support in the current efforts to enact an amendment to the Fair Housing Act (H.R. 6070 – Safe Recovery and Community Empowerment Act) and to support a request that the federal Government Accountability Office conduct a review of federal and state oversight of sober homes.
I am grateful to Representatives Cook, Case and Ohler, City Councilwoman Anne Ruwet and several of our local residents, all of whom submitted testimony in support of the proposed bills being heard in the state legislature.
|
|
City Assists Friends In Service to Humanity
The City is currently in the process of working with Friends in Service to Humanity with the installation of an updated heating system for their facility located on South Main Street. Utilizing income from repaid business loans which derived from a grant, the organization is upgrading their existing system with a new and energy efficient model which will greatly help their organization. Friends in Service to Humanity (FISH) assists individuals from Torrington and our region with their emergency shelter, food pantry, Operation Fuel, veterans assistance and more. I am proud that we're able to support this local organization that is instrumental in changing peoples lives. For more information on FISH, please visit their website by clicking
Here
|
|
|
As always, please do not hesitate to call or email the Mayor's office with any questions or concerns you may have.
Phone: 860-489-2228
Email: elinor_carbone@torringtonct.org
Please click
Here for the monthly meeting schedule.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
