Regional housing program reports 209 rental units and 21 ownership homes in development across 12 towns

Jocelyn, the COG’s regional housing coordinator, reported July 10 that the COG and partner organizations are managing a pipeline of 18 affordable housing projects across 12 towns and are supporting predevelopment and funding connections for those projects.

The update listed 209 rental homes and 21 ownership homes in development in towns that include Barkhamsted, Falls Village, Cornwall, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, Salisbury, Sharon, Warren, Washington, Winchester and Norfolk. Jocelyn said the program provides predevelopment seed funding, project management for local nonprofit developers, and outreach to create a pipeline of first‑time homebuyers and renters who are prepared to apply.

Why it matters

The housing effort aims to expand affordable housing choices in rural communities where market prices are high and waiting lists for affordable units are long. Jocelyn highlighted a modular home project and a homeownership program priced near $255,000 for units the program will sell — contrasted with adjacent market homes priced at well over $1 million — to illustrate local affordability gaps.

Current activities and resources

Jocelyn said the COG helps towns and local housing organizations connect with construction and permanent financing, acquisition and predevelopment funds, and potential rural infrastructure sources (for wells, septic and long driveways). She said pre‑applications are open for scattered‑site homeownership units in Salisbury, Cornwall, Norfolk and Washington and for a 10‑unit net‑zero ownership project in Norfolk.

The housing team also maintains an interest form for affordable rental opportunities (posted at nwcthousing.org). Jocelyn said waiting lists for existing affordable properties are long — for example, Salisbury reported about 110 households on its rental waiting list — and that expanding the regional pipeline will reduce those lists over time.

Upcoming: regional housing summit

Jocelyn asked members to save the date for the COG’s Litchfield County Housing Affordability Summit on Monday, Sept. 29, an evening event expected to include the state commissioner of housing and local project updates. She offered to share the presentation and two outreach flyers the housing office is distributing to recruit pre‑applicants and publicize homebuyer counseling resources.

Speakers

Jocelyn — regional housing coordinator (Northwest Hills housing team)

Clarifying details

{ "category":"projects_in_pipeline","detail":"Number of rental units and ownership units in active development","value":209,"units":"rental_units","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Jocelyn" } { "category":"ownership_units","detail":"Ownership homes in development","value":21,"units":"homes","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Jocelyn" } { "category":"salisbury_waitlist","detail":"Households on waiting list for affordable rentals in Salisbury","value":110,"units":"households","approximate":true,"source_speaker":"Jocelyn" }

Authorities/references

Funding sources referenced in the presentation included federal and state housing programs, CDBG (small cities) and other standard construction/permanent financing channels; Jocelyn said the team is working with the Department of Housing on rural infrastructure funding but did not identify a specific new statutory authority during the meeting.

Next steps

Jocelyn will share the slide deck and outreach materials with COG members, continue intake via the rental interest form and accept pre‑applications for the ownership projects. The COG will promote the Sept. 29 housing summit and continue coordinating funding strategy with towns and local nonprofits.

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