The City of Bridgeport's 1995 Consolidated Plan constitutes a strategic vision for housing and community development in the city. This document summarized the plan so that citizens in the community can have a quick overview of Bridgeport's housing and community development problems; the 3-year broad goals, strategies, and actions proposed to deal with those problems; and specific projects for carrying out this strategy during 1995.
The Consolidated Plan also includes an action plan constituting an application for funds under three different HUD formula programs for a total of $6,011,779: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program - $4,438,779: Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) program - $164,000; and the HOME Investments Partnership Program - $1,409,000.
A citizens' input plan has been developed which revolves around meetings and a questionnaire. A detailed questionnaire that examined gaps in programs and barriers to the implementation of programs was sent to all identified agencies, public or private, and organizations within the city that provided services related to social service and housing groups. Outreach also was made to various city departments.
A total of twenty-seven (27) members will sit on the Citizen's Union.
Two representatives would be sought from each of the seven CDBG targeted neighborhoods (West Side, West End, Hollow, South End, East Side, East End, Trumbull Gardens census tract), for a total of 14 members.
Two representatives from each of the four following groups would also become members: seniors, persons with disabilities, youth, and housing authority. Interested parties from these groups must also be Bridgeport residents. Groups such as the Commission on Aging, Center for Independent Living, RYSAP Youth Leadership Program, and Bridgeport Housing Authority Tenant Leader Association would be requested to recommend individuals for nomination.
Additionally, there would be five at-large positions that would be filled by persons that do not necessarily represent any targeted neighborhood or group.
Existing Citizen's Union members will interview all applicants and select all new members subject to City Council approval. No more than four persons from any one of the following identified neighborhoods may be members of the Citizen's Union. Those neighborhoods are the East End, East Side, Upper East Side, North End, Trumbull Gardens census tract, Brooklawn, Hollow, West Side, West End, Black Rock, and South End.
Initial consultation and public participation on the development of the
Consolidated Plan began January 5, 1995 with final approval and adoption by the
City of Bridgeport on April 17, 1995.
Current housing needs in Bridgeport focus on affordable housing for small families, elderly, and large families of very low income, and minority-headed very low and low income households. Overcrowded and substandard conditions for renters of low and very low incomes are also of concern.
By looking at the maps showing the low and moderate income and minority concentrations throughout the City, it is apparent that south of Route 1 is the area where these two populations can be found in highest concentration. these areas are the older areas of the City and the most deteriorated ones. It is in these neighborhoods that the most help is needed in rehabilitating entire neighborhoods, and where the City is concentrating its efforts.
Of the 18,553 very low and low income renters in Bridgeport, 15,835 or 85% are in minority headed households. Hispanic households constitute the largest number, 5,669 renters with Black households accounting for 5,162 renters. Extremely low, very low and low income renters often pay a higher percentage of their income for shelter than owners. Usually they are forced to live in dilapidated or unsafe units. The rising cot of rents is a factor in displacements of minority families and individuals.
Minority renters who live in public assisted housing are likely to be protected from problems of paying excessive high rents; however, half of Bridgeport's very low income renters do not receive any housing assistance.
Single-parent families, most of whom are women with children, have more difficulties than other types of families in finding decent and affordable rental housing. Low income elderly single women have difficulty in obtaining affordable housing rentals. However, the problem is most severe for Black and Hispanic single parents with children.
Most of Bridgeport's homeless population have problems with substance abuse or mental illness and as many as 50% have a dual diagnosis. The Bridgeport area needs service- enriched housing to address homeless couples with substance abuse, mental illness, HIV disease and a combination of all three problems. Bridgeport has substantially fewer beds and other general services for individuals who are homeless than other comparable Connecticut cities. The area has an inadequate amount of housing, permanent or transitional, for homeless families in which a parent has mental illness and substance abuse or HIV.
Private organizations have been the primary providers of providing the housing needs of homeless persons within the jurisdiction. These groups range from the Prospect House, Operation Hope and Janus House which provide emergency shelters for singles; to Alpha Home, the YMCA and YWCA which provide emergency shelters for Families; and lastly to St. Joseph's Residence for Mothers and Children, Alpha Home, and Transitional Living Services which provide transitional living facilities for a period up to two years. There is also a comprehensive list of facilities and services available that assist person who are not homeless but who require supportive housing, and programs for ensuring that persons returning from mental and physical health institutions receive appropriate supportive housing. A Transitional Living Center for persons with mental illness and substance abuse problems closed during mid-1994. That leaves virtually no residential program in the City for persons with a dual diagnosis.
There are approximately 5,760 assisted units and 1,800 Section 8 certificates and vouchers in the City. Nearly 65% of the families in Bridgeport public housing live on income subsidies, as compared with an overall city average of 42% of the households on income subsidies. The Bridgeport Housing Authority (BHA) currently owns and operates 2,679 units of low-income public housing. The Authority is currently completing a five- year strategic plan to direct and improve its management operation. Plans have been implemented to upgrade and improve its management information system, inventory control systems, and resident initiatives. The BHA has demolished all the public housing structures in Father Panik Village, and will be replacing the units through a scattered site program, as well as the rehabilitation of the 53 acre site. The following impacts will be recognized with successful redevelopment:
Construction of 110 rental units for low income households
Construction of duplex homeownership units
Construction of elderly housing
Development of commercial and retail space
There are a number of inhibitors to the development, maintenance, or improvement of affordable housing in Bridgeport. The City is 95% developed, any develop will generally entail demolition of old building, bringing to the forefront historic and environmental issues and increasing site acquisition costs. The largest problem is related to the age of the housing units in the City. Many of the structures are historic, or historically eligible, driving up the cost of restoration and reducing the number of units the City is able to restore for affordable housing. Environmental hazards, including lead-based paint and possible brown fields resulting from the demolition of old factories for new development, and sections of the older portions of the community located within a flood zone are constraints to housing. In addition the City's property tax is the highest in the State of Connecticut, driving the price of housing up and out of the affordable range for low- and very-low income households.
Another barrier is the shortage of personnel in the Housing Code Office which inhibits inspections for public safety (compliance with electrical and plumbing requirements and a building's structural integrity), and control of housing blight.
Housing abandonment also hampers the efforts of community redevelopment. The longer a house sits vacant the more likely other housing units will follow suit, increase susceptible to vandalism and fire, and continue the decline of the neighborhood, and reduce the number of housing units that could be sold to responsible parties to rehabilitate the low- and moderate income housing.
The Fair Housing Office received 73 housing complaints and 1,759 inquires during 1994. These issues were handled by an understaffed office of one person. The sheer numbers of inquiries and complaints indicates that a broader problem likely exists in the discrimination of fair housing laws throughout the City.
Ninety percent of the housing units in Bridgeport were built prior to 1940.
It is estimated that 16,722 rental housing units with lead-based paint are
occupied by poor families. The Bridgeport Health Department had 739 requests
for environmental inspections from July 1, 1994 to December 31, 1994.
Inspections were completed for 444 premises, of which 234 had a lead paid hazard
, one had both paint and non-paint hazard identifies, and the remaining premises
had no hazard. There were 132 children that sought medical attention due to
lead-based paint.
The strategic plan lays out a long-term strategy to deal with housing and community development needs to rejuvenate the City of Bridgeport.
Non-Housing community development centers on economic development, the redevelopment of a viable economic base and jobs. The City has developed a three part strategy for economic development which concentrates on 1) rebuilding the industrial corridors for five targeted industries located in the East End, West End, an along the Pequonnock River; 2) initiate waterfront projects to assist both the industrial strategy and the downtown; and 3) rebuild the downtown into a center for cultural/educational activities, a financial sector, and governmental operations. To coordinate with this strategy, the city is concentrating housing and community development activities in the areas adjacent to the economic development activity. In addition to economic development, other high priority items are youth centers, child care centers, parks/recreation facilities, infrastructure improvements, youth services, transportation services, substance abuse services, crime awareness, child care services, health services, commercial-industrial rehabilitation and infrastructure, lead based paint/hazards, and code enforcement.
Action for Bridgeport Community Development, Inc. (ABCD) is the anti-poverty agency in the greater Bridgeport area serving over 36,000 individuals annually through a broad range of services in a six town service area. These programs serve the poor, elderly, handicapped, homeless, and other disadvantaged residents. The City's anti-poverty efforts include using ten percent of HOME funds for tenant assistance in association with the BHA, and using HOME, CDBG, and ESG funds for supported, transitional, and emergency housing.
Additionally, the Bridgeport Department of Welfare has two separate programs aimed at alleviating poverty. The first is a collaboration with the State Department of Labor to prepare clients receiving General Assistance to become permanently employed. The second is a collaboration with the Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center to assist General Assistance recipients who have mental illness and/or substance abuse problems to remove barriers to employment.
The 1994-1998 CHAS discusses five strategies to reduce widespread poverty. These are supported housing, family self-sufficiency of the BHA, the Bridgeport Department of Welfare, Empowerment Zone designation and a Strategic Plan, and the West End Industrial Park Grant. The City completed its Strategic Plan in June 1994, and was designated an Enterprise Community in December 1994. The West End Industrial Park Grant will be used for relocation efforts with the West End Community development Corporation. The remaining strategies have ongoing support from collaborating agencies and the City.
Non-profit and for-profit housing developers, bankers, BHA and the City
Housing and Office of Planning and Economic Development departments have formed
a collaborative called the Park City Housing Summit. This diverse group meets
on a quarterly basis to discuss current events in Bridgeport related to housing
issues, including a variety of workshops. This group functions as an information
clearinghouse, utilizing a newsletter that is partially sponsored by the City.
The action plan lays out the proposed uses of the $6 million from three formula grant programs.
The Action Plan objectives for high priorities and community development needs include:
Public Services:
Senior services for elderly, physically challenged services, transportation services, youth services, substance abuse services, recreation, and other public services will be provided for low and moderate income residents.
Public facilities/infrastructure facilities:
Expansion and renovation of health centers, youth centers, child care facilities and neighborhood facilities and neighborhood facilitates received funding this fiscal year. Street improvements and sidewalk improvements, as well as creating open space in some neighborhoods will be activities that will be provided.
Economic Development:
The City will continue to provide funds for small business loans and neighborhood micro enterprises to create job opportunities and expanded economic opportunities carried out.
Housing:
Substantial and moderate rehabilitation of single family, multi-family units, and tenant assistance will be provided through CDBG and HOME. Two areas for concentration will be the east and west sides neighborhoods of the City. Code enforcement, relocation weatherization, lead poisoning prevention for low and moderate income persons will be provided.
A total of 71 projects will be addressed during the fiscal year. These projects range from site specific to city wide implementation.
MAP 2 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.
MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority concentration levels.
MAP 4 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income, and unemployment levels.
MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and proposed HUD funded projects.
Para H. Rosario
Deputy Director
HCD
City of Bridgeport
PH: (203) 576-7134.
