FARMINGTON — Selectmen Jan. 23 approved a Community Development Block Grant application for an affordable senior housing project.
Lauren Turner, project manager with Avesta Housing said CDBG is one source of funding for the Edgewater project. To move forward with the second round, board approval is needed, she noted.
“It’s going to be a two-story, 25-unit, affordable senior housing, 55 plus, [at 126] Willow Springs Drive,” Turner stated.
There is a chronic shortage of affordable housing for the elderly in Farmington, with a current wait list of 75, according to the CDBG program application. The overall scope of the work includes a new building and associated parking, site work, infrastructure and landscaping, it noted. CDBG/Housing Assistance funds will be used for engineering and professional costs, it stated.
Total project cost is estimated at $9.053 million with CDBG funding $500,000, the application indicated. Various loans will provide $5.67 million and equity funding $2.88 million, it stated.
“The other project up there is beautiful in the sense it is totally green,” Fenton Fowler said. “It has solar panels, uses a lot of very efficient energy. Is this project going to be the same?”
“We definitely have a goal with solar,” Turner replied. “We are building it solar-ready. We are making sure that’s still good. Further down the line we hope to get funding for solar.”
When asked about the age requirement for seniors listed in the application, Turner noted some federal funding is for those 62 and older depending on the funding source.
Selectman Joshua Bell asked when the project would start.
“We are hoping to close on funding in the spring, which would be a spring construction start,” Turner replied.
The project is not part of a larger project, Turner responded when Selectman Dennis O’Neil asked.
“Other than giving our support, encouragement for this, the town doesn’t bear any financial responsibility for it, correct,” Selectman Stephan Bunker asked.
“Yeah, that is correct,” Turner replied.
“I appreciate your bringing this project into our community,” Chair Matthew Smith said. “We greatly need it. It will be nice to see.”
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