Opportunities in the North Hartford Promise Zone

Deborah Boatright, NeighborWorks America North East Regional Vice President

On March 21, 2016, the HUD Hartford Field Office hosted a meeting on the Opportunities in the North Hartford Promise Zone for nonprofit organizations, housing counseling agencies, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) and stakeholders involved in the development of increased housing opportunities in the North Hartford Promise Zone.

Hartford Field Office Director Suzanne Piacentini kicked off the meeting and presenters included city of Hartford's Chief of Staff and former Director of North Hartford Promise Zone Thea Montanez; Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Deputy Director Community Development & Financial Institution Outreach Anthony Poore and Senior Research Assistant Amy Higgins; and, NeighborWorks America North East Regional Vice President Deborah Boatright.

The meeting provided an overview of the North Hartford Promise Zone focusing on its goals and available opportunities, an in-depth mortgage lending analysis on the Promise Zone in comparison to the city of Hartford and state of Connecticut, and a presentation on revitalization opportunities and best practices. Over thirty partners participated in discussions on the next steps.

Anthony Poore, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Deputy Director Community Development & Financial Institution Outreach

(l to r) Sarah Gerecke, HUD Deputy Assistant Director for Housing Counseling; Amy Higgins, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Senior Research Assistant; Suzanne Piacentini, HUD Hartford Field Office Director; Deborah Boatright, NeighborWorks America North East Regional Vice President; Thea Montanez, city of Hartford Chief of Staff

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