Farmington, Connecticut, is on the verge of achieving its goal of having 10% of its housing stock be affordable for low- and moderate-income households. The town currently has 9.7% of its housing stock classified as affordable, with its next housing project already in the works.

Achieving the Goal

Under state law, municipalities that fail to meet the 10% threshold must allow developers to build mixed-income homes on property not zoned for residences, unless the town can prove a real threat to public health or safety. Farmington’s success can be attributed to its recognition of the need for affordable housing, its understanding that creating multifamily housing pays for itself, and its willingness to work with developers to build quality housing.

The town has found developers it can trust, such as Metro Realty, which has built over 1,700 units of mixed-income housing across seven towns, including nearly 350 in Farmington. Metro’s commitment to building quality housing and managing it for the long haul has earned it a reputation as a reliable partner.

Partnership and Financing

The state of Connecticut has also played a crucial role in helping Farmington achieve its goal. The Connecticut Department of Housing and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority have provided loans, grants, and federal 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to support the development of affordable housing in the town.

Farmington’s success serves as a model for other municipalities in Connecticut. Thirty-one of the state’s 169 municipalities have already achieved the 10% threshold, and others are following in their footsteps. The town’s experience demonstrates that creating affordable housing is not impossible, but rather a matter of having the will to do it.

Original reporting: The Connecticut Mirror — read the source article.