New Haven – On Tuesday morning, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church’s development arm, the St. Luke’s Development Corporation (SLDC), celebrated the groundbreaking of a five‑story, 49‑unit apartment building on Whalley Avenue. The project, built in partnership with the city’s public housing authority and Elm City Communities, will provide much‑needed affordable housing in a neighborhood long‑awaited revitalization.
Project details and financing
The new building will contain 1,300 square feet of ground‑floor commercial space and sit on parcels at 117‑125 and 129 Whalley Ave., 10‑12 Dickerman St., and 34‑36 Sperry St. All 49 units will be rented at below‑market rates to households earning between 30 % and 80 % of the Area Median Income. Forty‑four of the units will receive federal rental assistance, capping rent at 30 % of a tenant’s income, while 20 % of the units are reserved for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The city estimates the total project cost at $32 million. Construction financing accounts for about $14.4 million, with the Connecticut Department of Housing contributing $3.3 million and the state’s Community Investment Fund adding $5.9 million. State Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera‑Bruno noted, “They are expensive because of the people they’re going to serve, but they’re very important.”
Faith‑driven community revitalization
President of the public housing authority, Shanae Draughn, framed the ceremony as more than a building project: “We are breaking ground today, not just on 49 units, but 49 futures here in New Haven.” The effort reflects a long‑standing commitment by St. Luke’s to address neighborhood decline. From the 1920s to the 1950s, Whalley Avenue was a bustling commercial corridor; subsequent decades left many vacant, contaminated lots.
Former rector Father Victor Rogers asked parishioners, “What can we, as a church, do to help revitalize the neighborhood?” The answer became the SLDC, which spent years navigating financing challenges, zoning relief, and site‑plan approvals. After receiving Board of Zoning Appeals relief in 2016 and adjusting the building height from six to five stories in 2024 to reduce costs, the project finally moved forward.
Community and civic support
Mayor Justin Elicker praised the church’s role, quoting James: “Faith without work is dead.” He added, “With this project, we see faith in action.” The mayor also announced roughly $1 million in state funds for traffic‑calming improvements on Whalley Avenue, slated for completion before the apartments open.
Rev. Thomas Jackson highlighted the complexity of the undertaking, noting contaminated land, fragmented ownership, and the need to work across multiple city administrations. “This project has come alive because the people in St. Luke’s have kept it alive,” he said.
Looking ahead
Construction is expected to take about 12 months, with tenants to be drawn from the housing authority’s existing waitlist. The development honors past leaders Bill Spruill and Sheldon Reinhart, both of whom championed the project before their passing.
As New Haven continues to address affordable‑housing shortages, the St. Luke’s project stands as a tangible example of faith‑based initiative working hand‑in‑hand with municipal partners to serve families, preserve community stability, and revitalize a historic corridor.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
