New Haven – A local nonprofit dedicated to serving U.S. military veterans has taken a major step toward expanding affordable housing for those who have served. The National Veterans Council for Legal Redress (NVCLR) announced Thursday that it has secured a $1,862,000 federal grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to construct five new one‑bedroom apartments on a 0.15‑acre lot at 252 Davenport Avenue.
Funding and Partnerships
The grant, described by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal as “congressionally directed spending,” will be combined with $500,000 already pledged by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA). The total projected cost of the development is about $2.4 million. NVCLR purchased the lot from the city for $4,000 in May 2024, and the New Haven Land Bank is contributing adjacent land to provide four on‑site parking spaces.
Project Details
All five units will be reserved for veterans. Four of the apartments will be limited to households earning no more than 50 percent of the area median income – currently $49,800 per year for a two‑person family – while the fifth unit will offer flexibility for veterans with higher incomes. Construction is slated to begin this summer, with an anticipated six‑month timeline. Seven Summit Construction Company has been selected as the lead contractor.
Community and Leadership Support
NVCLR Executive Director Garry Monk highlighted the personal significance of the project, noting that the new building will be named for his father, World II veteran Conley Monk Sr., who served in the Normandy invasion. Monk praised his brother, Conley Monk Jr., founder of NVCLR, for decades of advocacy, including the creation of the Vietnam memorial on Long Wharf and landmark lawsuits that have expanded benefits for veterans with less‑than‑honorable discharges.
Mayor Justin Elicker, city officials, and local residents gathered at a press conference on Davenport Avenue to celebrate the announcement. The mayor emphasized that the city’s contribution of the vacant lot reflects New Haven’s commitment to becoming a “city of hope” for its veteran population.
Statewide Context
Sen. Blumenthal reminded attendees that roughly 32,500 veterans across the United States experience homelessness, calling it a “national shame.” He lauded the project as a concrete step toward eradicating veteran homelessness in Connecticut.
Hill Alder Evelyn Rodriguez and Miguel Pittman, chair of the Hill North Community Management Team, echoed the sentiment, describing the upcoming apartments as “five opportunities for stability, dignity, and a fresh start” for those who have sacrificed for the nation.
Looking Ahead
NVCLR expects the development to provide immediate relief for veterans seeking safe, affordable housing while also serving as a model for similar initiatives statewide. With federal, state, and local resources aligned, the project demonstrates how collaborative effort can translate policy into tangible community benefit.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
