Greenwich, Connecticut (a.k.a the "Gateway to New England") is a town located in the southern-most section of Fairfield County. It is a coastal community, bordered by the Long Island Sound, Westchester County, and Stamford, Connecticut. Greenwich is primarily a residential community, with a population of approximately 58,441 persons (1990 Census). However, it is also home to a number of corporate offices, including U.S. Tobacco and Cheesborough Ponds. Greenwich's proximity to New York City (an approximate 45 minute commute by train or automobile) makes it an ideal suburban community. Greenwich residents therefore enjoy the conveniences of small town living, and nearby access to the cultural and business advantages of a major metropolitan city.
The Greenwich, Connecticut Consolidated Plan for 1995 presents a strategic vision for housing and community development in this unique metropolitan area. It includes a One-Year Action Plan for spending approximately $1.015 million of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG funds) for activities that benefit persons of low and moderate income, and persons that are "presumed" by HUD to be CDBG income eligible.
Greenwich has an approved Citizen Participation Plan for its Consolidated Plan. The CDBG office administers the Consolidated Plan. The Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) reviews CDBG proposed activities. CDAC is comprised of Town districts representatives, members of the BET, Planning/ Zoning Commisson, and minority, women and handicapped organizations. Approximately 100% of CDBG funds are allocated to activities serving low and moderate income persons.
The Calendar/Citizen Participation Plan charts the Consolidated Plan process
and identifies times/dates of public hearings, meetings, submissions, etc.
Announcements of CDBG public hearings are published in the newspaper. All CDBG
meetings are open to the public, and minutes are recorded. Public participation
is also solicited to identify community needs, comment on past CDBG
performance, and assist in the development of the Consolidated Plan. CDBG puts
special emphasis, during the planning process, to consult with the Housing
Authority, other CDBG offices, non-profit housing providers, and public and
private social service organizations on the Consolidated Plan. Note: The CDBG
program year for Greenwich, Connecticut is February 14th through February 13th
each year.
Greenwich, Connecticut is conveniently located 28 Miles from New York City. Greenwich is located in the southern-most section of Fairfield County. It is a coastal community, approximately 48 square miles in size, and bordered by the Long Island Sound, Westchester County, and Stamford, Connecticut. Greenwich is also on the main line of the Metro-North Railroad. Highways traversing the Greenwich are the New England Turnpike (I-95), Boston Post Road (U.S. Highway #1), and the Merritt Parkway. Although Greenwich has no airports, there are 3 airports within a few miles of the town (i.e. Westchester County, LaGuardia, and Kennedy Airports). Greenwich's proximity to a major metropolitan city, and access to transportation make it an ideal commuter community.
According to the 1990 Census, the population of Greenwich is 58,441 persons (a decrease of 1.9% from the 59,578 Census count in 1980). The 1990 median family income in Greenwich was $80,558, and the median household income was $65,072. In 1990, total households in Greenwich numbered 22,152 (an increase of 3.2% from the 1980 Census count). During the same 10 year period, persons per household declined by 5.1% (from 2.74 persons in 1980 versus 2.6 persons in 1990). The trend of decreasing household size is seen in all populations groups in Greenwich.
Although the 1990 Census shows that Greenwich's total population decreased by 1.9% since 1980, its minority population expanded by 54.4% ( Hispanic persons increased by 52.2%, the Black population by 1.1%, and Asian population by 106.4%). Between 1980 and 1990 Greenwich's White population decreased by 6.8%. The 1990 ethnic/racial breakdown of Greenwich households is 94.8% White, 2.3% Hispanic, and 1.9% Black.
Employment Conditions. The 1990 unemployment rate in Greenwich was 3.8%. The vast majority of persons in the workforce are employed in private corporation/businesses, and, for the most part in professional, technical, and administrative positions. Also, a large number of Greenwich workforce is employed by the municipal government and by non-profit organizations, such as Greenwich Hospital. Housing Conditions. The total number of housing units in Greenwich is 23,515, with 67.9% as single family units, 30.3% multi-family housing, and 1.8% other units. The average number of persons per household is 2.76 persons in owner-occupied units, and 2.26 persons in renter-occupied units. Of Greenwich's 23,515 housing units, 34.8% were built pre-1940, 77 housing units lack complete plumbing, 161 housing units lack complete kitchens, 6 housing units have no source of heating fuel.
General housing needs in Greenwich are Market forces have shaped and responded to the general housing needs in Greenwich. Such needs are assessed and addressed by the Planning and Zoning Commission, which develops the town's "Building and Zoning Regulations", and the "Plan of Development". Affordable housing needs (low and moderate income housing) are described in the paragraph below, "Affordable Housing Needs."
The 1990 median value of a single-family, owner-occupied home in Greenwich is $499,900 versus the 1980 median value of $165,800. Currently, the Section 8 FMR for a 2 bedroom unit is $975, including utilities, and the FMR, under the HOME program, for a 2 bedroom unit is $1,015. Between 1980 and 1990 the median contract rent in Greenwich increased from $344 to $975. The vacancy rate in Greenwich grew from 1.3% for owners and 2.8% for renters in 1980 to 2.6% for owners and 3.5% for renters in 1990.
Rental Housing. In Greenwich, 32.5% of all renters have a cost burden of paying more than 30% of their annual household income for rent. Average rents in Greenwich are high, and there is a need for more affordable rental housing units. Ownership Housing. A major problem in the Greenwich home ownership market is the lack of affordable, entry-level housing. Sizeable downpayments are needed to make monthly mortgage payments affordable even with low interest rates. It is extremely difficult for entry-level buyers to accumulate sufficient funds. Without assistance, potential home buyers have little chance of ownership. Consequently, first-time buyers are priced out of the market.
The 1990 Census and HUD CHAS Databook reports that there are 6 homeless families and 75 homeless individuals in Greenwich. There is also an unidentified number of persons in Greenwich who are threatened with homelessness due to the high cost of housing, and/or loss of income or eviction resulting from drug abuse, domestic violence, illness, catastrophic events, etc.
People with Special Needs-Other than Homeless, and the Need for Supportive Housing include Elderly/Frail Elderly Persons, Persons with Physical and Mental disabilities, Persons with AIDS, and Female-Headed Households: (1) Elderly Persons will have a tremendous impact on future housing needs and demands in Greenwich. As Greenwich's population ages, the need for assistance in daily living will increase. (2) Frail Elderly Persons. Congregate housing has been a response to the growing housing and support services for the elderly persons in Greenwich. (3) Persons with Disabilities have a great need for decent, affordable and accessible housing where they can live as independently as possible. Greenwich's response has been to create several group homes sponsored by non-profit organizations such as Greenwich Association for Retarded Citizens, and Pathways, Inc. (4) Persons with AIDS. Housing is a pivotal element in the organization and delivery of services to persons with AIDS. Currently, in Greenwich there is no housing specifically designated for persons with the HIV/AIDS virus. However, supportive services are available through the Department of Social Services, and other non-profit groups. (5) Female-headed Households comprise a significant portion of single parent households in Greenwich. According to the 1990 Census 84.4% of single parent households in Greenwich were female-headed (an increase of 4.7% from 1980).
Greenwich has 687 publicly assisted housing units ( owned and managed by the Greenwich Housing Authority), and including 220 Section 8 units (comprising up 3.9% of the total housing stock in Greenwich). As of 1994, there were 638 persons on various waiting lists for public housing. Other non-profit housing organizations own and operate an additional 306 housing units/beds in Greenwich. In total, there are 1,213 units of publicly assisted housing in Greenwich (5.1% of the total housing stock). There are long waiting lists for all publicly assisted housing units in Greenwich due to the high demand for affordable housing.
Because of the high cost of property in Greenwich it has been difficult to develop affordable housing for low and moderate income persons in the community. Greenwich has instituted policies that have helped to overcome financial restrictions, such as zoning regulations to encourage developers to build affordable housing, tax abatements to non-profit housing sponsors, public land donated for affordable housing development, etc. The greatest impediment in the use of CDBG funds for affordable housing is the prohibition of CDBG funds for new construction, and the formula used by the federal government in determining the lower income limits for the program (i.e. using the National median income instead of the area median income).
Fair housing issues are difficult to assess because of the high cost of housing in Greenwich. Instead affordability becomes the issue. CDBG requires CDBG funded housing providers (whether for rehabilitation or public service) comply with federal fair housing/equal opportunity laws. The CDBG office assists and directs all fair housing complaints (if any) to the State's Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities for investigation.
None.
Greenwich has estimated the number of housing units that contain lead-based paint and are occupied by low, and very low income families at 190 units (pursuant to the HUD procedures). The Greenwich Department of Environmental Health has an on-going "Lead Awareness Program" to identify lead- based paint levels in children. Further, the CDBG program requires that all CDBG assisted rehabilitation projects assess its project site for lead-paint to determine, and abatement measures (if needed). The Greenwich Housing Authority has surveyed all of its federal public housing units for lead-based paint, and abatements measures underway.
Greenwich is fortunate to have a low unemployment rate, a good public school system, and a variety of community social service programs. The United Way of Greenwich has developed a "Needs Assessment" identifying Greenwich's priorities for programs and services. Among the community development needs identified were affordable housing, family self sufficiency programs, social services for elderly persons, young children, and teenagers.
Greenwich develops its Consolidated Plan through citizen participation to
solicit comments and encourage involvement in the community development planning
process from other governmental agencies, non-profit social service
organizations, affordable housing providers, and the general public. Further,
Greenwich has established (through the municipal government) various committees
focusing on racial diversity, persons with special needs/handicaps, and housing.
Greenwich also frequently sponsors public forums to discuss a number of relevant
social service topics, such as domestic violence, AIDS awareness, etc.
The overall goals of the Consolidated Plan for Greenwich focuses on housing opportunities for low and moderate income persons, including (1) retain and produce housing affordable for lower income persons, (2) create/support housing partnerships between the public and private sectors (locally and regionally), (3) expand and improve federal and State housing assistance, (4) increase the supply of supportive housing, (5) assist programs that help people achieve economic self-sufficiency, (6) reduce severe housing cost burdens for low income families, and (7) encourage effective affirmative marketing.
The primary objectives for Greenwich's Consolidated Plan are: (1) the development of viable urban communities by providing decent housing, and a suitable living environment, and (2) expanding economic opportunities principally for the benefit of low and moderate persons.
Greenwich will give the highest priority to fund housing activities that: (1) provide the most benefit to low income households, (2) maximize housing opportunities for low and moderate income persons, (3) promote economic and racial integration, and integration of persons with disabilities. Greenwich will also give priority to community development activities that are designed to (1) reduce the number of poverty level households, (2) eliminate barriers to affordable housing, (3) abate lead-based paint hazards, (4) provide economic opportunities for low income persons, (5) social services programs (as described in the 1995 Action Plan).
Refer to the above paragraph "Housing and Community Development Priorities." Housing priorities are also given to persons based on the household income, household size, and documented need. Priorities are also given to programs for acquisition and/or rehabilitation of low and moderate income housing, and supportive housing services.
Refer to the above paragraph "Housing and Community Development Priorities."
All activities, strategies, objectives, goals, programs and services described in the Consolidated Plan and the 1995 CDBG Action Plan encompass the anti-poverty strategy for Greenwich.
Resources for housing and community development include, but are not limited to: (1) rental assistance (federal and/or State), (2) federal and State grants and/or loans for housing acquisition and/or rehabilitation, (3) local zoning incentives, tax abatement, and donated public land for housing development, (4) housing loans from the Connecticut Housing Financing Authority, and (5) non-profit housing sponsors and/or private contributions.
Greenwich has established a Housing Partnership Committee, Special Committee
for Persons with Handicaps, and various building committees, etc. to assess and
oversee the affordable housing and supportive housing needs in the community.
CDBG funding priority will be given to any program for financial assistance from
any source that will produce affordable housing for lower income persons in
Greenwich. The CDBG program assumes contract and monitoring for recipients of
CDBG funds. For organizations/individuals that apply to, and receive funding
from, sources other than CDBG, the applicable funding entities will assume the
applicable contract and monitoring.
Greenwich CDBG will receive $1,015,000 from HUD in 1995 to assist with the goals and objectives in its Consolidated Plan. The One-Year Action Plan includes: (1) CDBG funds as leverage with public and private funding for programs benefiting low and moderate income persons, (2) affordable housing acquisition, (3) public housing modernization, (4) operating funds for a transportation program (elderly and/or handicapped persons), homeless shelters (adults and children), a food bank program, a domestic violence prevention/counselling program, day care centers (children and elderly persons), a senior citizen shopping program, and socialization/counselling programs (seniors and youths), (5) rehabilitation funds for handicap accessibility, a licensed home for the aged, a child day care center, a frail elderly day care center, and a community facility, (6) acquisition for congregate housing ( elderly persons), and a shelter for children in crisis, (7) administration of the CDBG program. Distribution of the $1,015,000 CDBG funds is as follows: $152,332 for public service, $711,500 for rehabilitation/acquisition, $151,023 for CDBG administration, and $145 in Contingency.
All CDBG rehabilitation/acquisition and administration activities are located in Greenwich. Public services activities are located in Greenwich and Stamford. All activities serve CDBG income eligible Greenwich residents.
All 1995 CDBG funded activities will accomplish 1 or more of the following housing goals: (1) foster and maintain affordable housing, (2) improve public housing, (3) provide for public housing resident initiatives, (4) remove barriers to affordable housing, (5) evaluate and reduce lead-based paint hazards, (6) reduce the number of households living in poverty, (7) address obstacles in order to meet undeserved housing needs, (8) enhance coordination between public and private housing organizations and social service agencies.
MAP 2 and MAP 3 depict points of interest, minority concentration levels, and low-moderate income areas.
MAP 4 depicts unemployment levels.
MAP 5 and MAP 6 depict Neighborhood Segments and streets with proposed HUD funded projects.
