The “Small Cities” program supports a wide variety of projects to improve neighborhoods, housing, and employment opportunities. Any municipality with a population of less than 50,000 is eligible to compete for funding for projects that benefit low and moderate income households. Funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Small Cities program is administered in Connecticut by the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD).
In 1993, DECD awarded Branford its first Small Cities grant, to establish a revolving loan fund for housing rehabilitation. Since that time, the Town has made more than 50 loans to low and moderate income households for essential improvements such as roofing, plumbing, heating, and electrical work. To find out more about the program, see the Town of Branford Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program Information guidelines (link opens in new window). If you wish to apply for a grant as an owner, applications may be obtained at the Planning and Zoning Office in Town Hall.
In a highly competitive round of funding this year, the Town secured a $500,000 grant for energy efficiency improvements at Orchard House Adult Daycare. Since 1993, the Town has received four and a half million dollars in Small Cities grant money. Projects funded by those grants include:
- Blackstone Library installation of elevator
- Parkside Village replacement of doors and windows
- Volunteer Services Center conversion from old police station
- Adult Daycare addition to existing building
- Parkside Village installation of elevators
- Rosenthal Manor conversion of existing building to elderly apartment units
Harbor Health Services fire safety and sewer improvements