Barkhamsted Housing Trust

 01  What is the Barkhamsted Housing Trust?

The Barkhamsted Housing Trust (BHT) is a 501 (c)(3) organization, separate from the town government, comprised of interested town residents whose objective is to develop affordable housing in our community.

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 02  What is affordable housing?

​Housing is considered affordable if it costs less than 30% of a household’s income. It is considered “dedicated” affordable if there is a deed restriction or other mechanism in place to ensure that it will remain affordable to the residents over time. Affordable housing is meant to provide opportunities for a wide range of individuals and families including those just starting in the workforce as well as seniors interested in downsizing.  It is not what is often thought of as “Section 8”  housing. Currently only 2% of the town’s housing stock is dedicated affordable housing. The State’s Affordable Housing Appeals act says that towns that do not have at least 10% dedicated affordable housing are open to appeals of their zoning decisions if they turn down a zoning application that includes affordable housing.

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 03  Who qualifies for affordable housing?

 

Individuals and families who earn less than 80% of the area median income are eligible for affordable housing. The 2025 income limits for households of various sizes at 80% and 50% of the area median income are shown below. Maximum rent limits (including utilities) are set at 30% of the income of a household at 80% of the area median income. There will also be apartments with max rent limits set to be affordable to households at 50% of the area median income. The currently anticipated mix of affordability and bedroom sized apartments are below.​

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2025 Litchfield County MSA Income Limits; see www.huduser.gov​

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​Current proposed mix of apartments sizes and affordability ranges. These are subject to change based on funding requirements.

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 04  Where will these apartments be located?

 

​The BHT used a bridge loan made possible with financing from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to purchase 99 acres of land at 104 Old New Hartford Road behind Mallory Brook Plaza. This bridge loan was paid off when the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant was awarded for this purchase.​

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 05  How many apartments would there be?

 

​Twenty apartment units will be built on approximately 5-10 acres of the purchased land. These apartments would consist of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments, with 10% of the units being fully accessible (for people with handicapping conditions). 

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 06  How will applications for this housing be handled?

 

​Applications will be received and reviewed by a property manager hired by the BHT. If there are more applications than apartments, a lottery system would likely be employed. Notices for accepting applications will occur about 3 months before the housing construction is expected to be completed.

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 07  What will it look like?

 

​​The units will have a rambling farmhouse look. Every unit will have a 1 car garage and space to park a car in the driveway. Additional parking will be available to visitors and service contractors.

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 08  How is all this being financed?

 

​The BHT hired a housing development consultant to provide support in applying for grants through Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and other funds through the Connecticut Department of Housing as well as assisting the BHT with a variety of pre-development issues. The CDBG was awarded to the town and passed through to the BHT to cover the cost of the bridge loan and pre-development plans. The BHT will be looking for grants as well as conducting fundraising activities to support construction estimated to be $5-$6 million at this time. Water and sewer will be connected to Winsted with monthly costs reflected in the rent. It is important to note that at NO time will the town be financially responsible for development.

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 09  What role has the town had?

 

​A small number of town employees have been a part of the BHT in an advisory capacity. They have supported the BHT in connecting to resources within the region and advised the BHT as to the necessary steps to see this project to fruition (planning and zoning approval, inlands wetlands approval and various necessary pre-development activities such as an archeological survey).

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 10  I am a senior and I have sold my home, will I still be income eligible to live in this development?

To determine eligibility to live in this development, the property manager will look at your current income including income you earn on any assets over $50,000 (like interest income) but not the assets themselves. Income sources from retired individuals often includes SSI (social security income), pension payments, and/or IRA distributions. Assets (such as proceeds from a home sale) are not part of the income eligibility determination. However, if you are earning income such as interest income from your assets, that will count as part of your annual income.

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 11  What happens if I am found to be over income after I move into the development?

You will not have to leave if your income goes up and your household is no longer income eligible in subsequent years after you are initially determined to be eligible, however your rent may be adjusted higher to reflect 30% of your current income. 

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 12  What is my rent used for?

The rents that our residents pay help us pay the costs of operating the property including professional property management, plowing, mowing, repairs, trash removal, and reserves so that larger items like roofs and heating systems can be replaced when the time comes.