Middletown, the only city in Middlesex County, is located on the Connecticut River just south of Hartford with easy access to major highways, airports, railroads and other modes of transportation. Middletown provides the majority of affordable housing and human services for the entire region's poor and less fortunate. Settled in 1651, the City was once a major port and later, a manufacturing center: It continues to support a wide variety of industry, commerce and services, and is the home of Wesleyan University.
The City of Middletown expects to receive a CDBG Entitlement Grant for 1995, of $545,000 and $150,000 of anticipated Program Income. These funds will support a variety of projects and programs targeted to create employment and training opportunities, to make housing more affordable and to improve the quality of life in Middletown's low/mod areas. The Middletown Housing Authority expects $900,000 in Operating Subsidy, $2,800,000 for Section 8 Rental Certificates, Vouchers and Moderate Rehab and $900,000 in Public Housing Subsidy to carry out its mission for the next program year.
Middletown, through a series of meetings and workshops, encouraged
businesses, nonprofit, organizations, city departments, residents, and the
Housing Authority to provide input, analysis of the needs, and strategies for
the future for the community. Organizations which give direct service and
benefits to the people of Middletown were identified and contacted. Staff
interviewed key personnel in the community; citizens and organizations were
encouraged to comment on the draft plan. Based on their feedback, major
revisions and additions were made to the Draft Plan and more interviews
conducted before presentation to the public. Two public hearings of the
Citizens Advisory Committee were held in April and May, 1995 after notification
in the local newspaper. The Common Council unanimously voted to adopt the
revised Consolidated Plan on July 5, 1995.
Middletown, Connecticut has earned its reputation as a community poised for continued growth and prosperity in the decade of the nineties. By combining a sensitivity to the needs of the resident and business populations, Middletown has managed to preserve an enviable quality of life, while maintaining a strong economic foundation. Its 40 square miles include rural, suburban and urban settings plus several large city-owned parks and open spaces.
According to the 1990 Census, the population of Middletown was 42,762 up
9.5% from 1980. In 1990, the median family income (family of four) was $44,339.
By 1995, it had risen to$52,500. In 1990, 45.3% of all households in
Middletown were low/moderate income (with incomes below 80% of MFI). The
greatest concentration of low/mod households is in Census Tract 5416 which
encompasses most of Middletown's downtown commercial area. The economy of this
area is currently distressed, and it is overlaid by State and local incentive
designations such as an Enterprise Zone, Redevelopment Area and Housing
Development Zone. Outside of the downtown area, Middletown's statistical
concentrations of low income people is influenced by the existence of
institutions such as Wesleyan University, Connecticut Valley Hospital (State
Mental Hospital) and Long Lane School where the residents (students/inmates)
have virtually no incomes.
Middletown's affordable housing stock is located in two areas: either in ageing or deteriorating housing stock near the central city, or in over-built condominiums in the PRD's of Westlake. The economy is still stagnant, no new affordable rental housing is being built, and job opportunities are continuing to decline.
Two critical housing needs are identified in the Consolidated Plan: increasing the affordability of housing and rehabilitating the existing housing stock with special emphasis on lead abatement. To address affordable housing needs, assistance is needed to reduce cost burdens. To address housing quality/condition problems, funds and programs are needed to help low income persons maintain and repair their homes. Another high priority need is the supportive housing link to help the homeless find and keep viable permanent housing.
As the elderly population continues to grow there will be a need for increased attention to the special housing circumstances and needs of the elderly. The elderly are tremendously diverse in their housing preferences, financial characteristics and health status. The elderly most in need of housing assistance are the extremely low income renters on fixed incomes. Low income elderly are drawn to more densely developed areas as opposed to more rural settings owing to greater accessibility to medical care, pharmacies, food stores and public transportation.
Supply and demand are an ever-changing evolution and need constant modification to compensate for the changes in the economy and, more recently, of the recession. Many households, who at one time were able to maintain their housing costs, find, through loss of job, health problems or the break up of a family unit are no longer able to afford or remain in their present environment. Between 1980 and 1990, the total number of households increased in Middletown by 19% while the number of family households only increased by 8.5%. These results dictate a greater number of housing units for the same number of people. A significant number of the vacant or available rental and owner housing stock is older housing. These single and multi-family structures are costly to rehabilitate. If defective lead paint is detected, the rehabilitation costs escalate and become prohibitive in terms of housing affordability.
The issue of affordability is most severe in the rental housing area. The worst case need is for the extremely low income residents who are spending greater than 50% of their limited income on housing. Based on the statistics provided, the City's renters experiencing the most difficulty are: large families, followed by small families, then elderly. The statistics for the low income renters who are paying in excess of 50% of their income, are lower than the extremely low income. However, with reduction in rental subsidies, this rental group's income may become re-categorized into the extremely low income group. Under ownership needs, those with extremely low income are experiencing the most difficulty with housing expenses. The statistics show households expending more than 50% of income on housing are 85% of all owners except elderly. Low income owners, while they are not experiencing as much difficulty, the CHAS statistics show: 42% of non-elderly owners expend more than 50% of income on housing.
Among the non-white populations, there is a disproportionate need for affordable rental housing. There is also a disproportionate need for ownership opportunities for all minorities.
The statistics for "All Other Owners" with low and very low incomes is staggering. It is a safe assumption, based on the State unemployment statistics of approximately 6.2% of the employable population, that many households who purchased housing, at one point in time, may have been able to maintain the expenses on their housing. However, with a loss of one or maybe more jobs within a household, housing costs become unaffordable, and households face serious risk of possible foreclosure. Without the expansion of the City's industrial areas to bring manufacturing jobs to the City and revitalization of its commercial core, existing homeowners are at risk; and future ownership opportunities are dismal for those with limited incomes.
Based on a single point needs assessment, conducted by local social service agencies, of the 98 individuals who were identified as homeless, 78% were identified as having serious substance abuse difficulties, and 25% were identified as having mental illness. It is believed that between 3% and 10% of these individuals have AIDS or related disorders. According to local statistics, the homeless population appears to be growing. The administrators of The Eddy Shelter estimate approximately 32 individual homeless persons are using the shelter per night on a yearly average. In checking with St. Vincent dePaul, they estimated there are 48 homeless (individuals and families) based on inquiry need at their facility. It would appear a conservative estimate of homelessness to include the actual individuals served in area shelters and St. Vincent's estimate of those on the street or with no permanent residence. Based on that assumption, there are nearly 400 homeless individuals in Middletown living in either shelters or transitional housing. The American Red Cross reports a constant census of 14 families in their shelter with an average turnover of four families in any given month. They also report 25-30 families in a month that seek housing but cannot be served. The Community Health Center Battered Women's Shelter has 10 beds and is reportedly full daily.
For many years the homeless population consisted primarily of substance dependent, single males. In recent years, the homeless population has changed adding now, ex-offenders, single females, the elderly, people with disabilities, the mentally ill and families with children. The faster growing segment of homeless are one parent families with children. Middletown has taken on the greatest proportion of burden to support the poor and indigent residents in the County. Currently, Middletown has 96 emergency shelter beds in three facilities, 42 for families and 54 for individuals. There are 215 transitional beds serving individuals, families, youth, recovering substance abusers and battered women. There are also 266 beds in group homes, long-term care facilities and supportive housing which allow supported permanent housing for the mentally ill, mentally retarded, elderly poor and low income individuals who, without these facilities would likely be homeless.
The Housing Authority reported the funds currently received adequately meet their needs in the modernization of the Authority's properties. The Middletown Housing Authority currently administers 426 units of Federal and 238 of State housing, plus 401 Section 8 Federal and 30 Section 8 State subsidies. As a long range goal, the Housing Authority plans to reduce the number of units at Long River Village, a family Federal public housing property from 190 to 50-80 units over five years. They will be seeking Section 8 certificates and vouchers for the residents who will be displaced.
The lack of meaningful jobs is one of the major barriers to affordable housing. With a 6.2% unemployment rate and a significant number of dislocated workers due to businesses relocating or downsizing and the recession, many residents are not able to afford their existing rental or home ownership costs. The loss of jobs, coupled with the loss of income, results in the loss of related abilities to save for a first time home buyer, or the upgrade of residence for existing homeowners. The City's housing Rehabilitation Loan Program can only fill a minimum need, due to the limited availability of funds. The City of Middletown has been aggressive in the development of a broad spectrum of housing opportunities. The City has a number of homeless shelters; transitional housing; half way houses; group homes; subsidized units through the Housing Authority, nonprofit housing resources, and privately developed units. There is also a supply of market rentals which range from moderate to upscale. The ownership opportunities vary from subsidized cooperatives through full home ownership.
The City has a goal to create a comprehensive Fair Housing Plan by December 31, 1995, through Human Relations staff and fair housing activists. Meanwhile the Human Relations Office handles fair housing issues on a daily full-time basis.
A large portion of the housing stock of the City of Middletown is composed of rental and ownership units constructed before 1979. Approximately 2,724 renter households and approximately 1,203 owner-occupied households, have the highest risk for Lead Based Paint hazards. The State of CT Dept. of Public Health Services developed a Risk Index for Connecticut and its 169 towns for children, less than five years old, who are at high risk of lead exposure and poisoning. Middletown is among the twelve highest ranked towns. The properties owned by the Middletown Housing Authority were all constructed after 1978; therefore, assumed to be lead safe, except Long River Village built in the 1940's. That complex, however, has tested at low levels and needs minimal abatement.
The City of Middletown is the home of CT Valley Hospital which supplies a majority of the City's "special needs" group. Once patients leave CVH, they tend to remain within the area and search for adequate housing and supportive services. This is evidenced by the large number of group homes in Middletown. During 1995, the State General Assembly approved the consolidation of patients from the three State mental health facilities (CVH, Fairfield Hills and Norwich) to be relocated here. This consolidation will place a greater strain on social service providers and transitional housing in the community. Prior to the consolidation, a necessary goal is to prepare a strategy to balance the future burden of services among the State and the resident communities of the patients.
Community development needs include gainful employment for the at-risk population, adult education and vocational training programs, self-sufficiency programs and intensive case management, affordable child care, educational and development programs for at-risk children in grades 1-8, retraining for displaced workers, emergency assistance for at-risk families and individuals, affordable and accessible transportation and infrastructure improvements. While Middlesex County has not suffered as severely as other counties in the State, meaningful employment opportunities have been scarce in the early 1990's, and will continue to be through to the end of the decade. There is a need for the creation of jobs which pay enough to support a family - primarily industrial or high tech jobs.
In terms of public facilities, the City has a new police station as its highest priority followed by strong support for a community cultural center, a youth center and continuing sewer separation/infrastructure improvements in the Connecticut River.
The City's Development Office serves as a "clearinghouse" for all
economic and community development policy issues; and the goals of their
committees/commissions and agencies are paramount to the future of the
community. As a "Business Friendly" community, the Middletown
Economic Development Team, i.e., all pertinent City Departments, the Chamber and
any other party involved, organizes meetings to advise prospective developers of
all requirements, permits and timetables that may enhance or delay in the
development process. The Municipal Development and Planning Offices work
closely with the City's nonprofits on both housing, community development, and
economic development programs and projects.
The City of Middletown's primary goal is to produce jobs and educational/employment training opportunities, especially for its poorer or at-risk population. The theory to create jobs as a major goal - over the creation of affordable housing - is based on the recognition that, in order to create a viable community, people need jobs. Once a citizen has a job, greater economic options are available resulting in expanded housing opportunities. To take this theory one step further, once a citizen has a job, there would be a reduced need for other special service related programs. These job creation efforts relate to all levels of the economic sphere.
Housing objectives and priorities relate to the need for a continuum of care for people at risk of homelessness; to the aging housing stock (especially in the downtown) and to the continuing gap in affordability. Community development objectives are to revitalize the Central Business District and North End Industrial Area and provide economic development opportunities for low/moderate income citizens. The recently designated State Enterprise Zone and the previously designated State Housing Development Zone, located within the downtown, will be sites targeted for revitalization and community development efforts.
Housing priorities include the continued rehabilitation of older housing stock; support of programs to promote home ownership among low/moderate income residents, encouragement of successful supportive housing projects and continued support of the City's homeless and transitional shelters.
Non-housing priorities include the recycling and development of an older urban industrial area adjacent to the downtown; provision of the infrastructure to accomplish the above and support of a variety of job training opportunities. For the younger population "at-risk", the City will support programs for several age groups which will help these youngsters succeed both in school and, later, in the job market. Revitalizing the downtown where several community facilities are proposed - as a viable mixed use commercial area while conserving its historic character is a high priority.
The City of Middletown recognizes the need to unite, target resources, provide a "safety net" for those at the brink of poverty, and address the identified needs of those living at or below poverty level. Foremost, we need to make job training and job placement available that can pull employable individuals out of poverty. This cannot be achieved unless accompanied by affordable housing, proper nutrition, health care, child care, transportation and other identified needs. As our anti-poverty strategy, our primary objective is to provide a holistic approach through training and employment of residents; assistance to those inadequately housed through a housing strategy offering upward mobility.
The City of Middletown has placed economic development through job creation and training for unemployed, underemployed and displaced workers as its number one priority in the development of the non-housing community development plan. The investment into the North End Industrial Area will create more diverse and much needed manufacturing jobs for those with skills or individuals re-trained to meet the present demands in the manufacturing industry.
Middletown's strongest resources are its people and the public, private and nonprofit organizations they operate. Financially, the primary Federal resources include CDBG, Section 8, public housing, Emergency Shelter Grants, Shelter Plus Care, the Supportive Housing Program and the Federal Home Loan Bank. State and local resources also include supportive housing, Section 8, public housing, Enterprise Zone, Housing Development Zone and business incentives; REINVEST, JOBS and residential rehab loan programs; down payment/homeowner's assistance programs, and some new incentives from local banks and CHFA.
Additionally, the City was chosen by the State of Connecticut and The Corporation for Supportive Housing as one of twelve projects in ten communities, to develop forty units of supportive housing as part of a demonstration project designed to create successful models. Supportive housing provides a holistic approach to meet the overall needs of the less fortunate and serves as a link to complete the continuum of care in providing shelter for the formerly homeless in need of permanent housing.
The City's Municipal Development Office will be the coordinating agency with
the advisory capacities of the Citizens Advisory Committee, the Economic
Development Committee, the Enterprise Zone Advisory Committee and the Middletown
Housing Partnership to monitor the effects and results of the strategies aimed
at economic development, job training and job placement, the above mentioned "affordable
housing" programs and related services that are part of the strategic plan.
With the Chamber of Commerce, it will work with individual businesses and the
State on economic development issues, and will also coordinate activities with
the private nonprofit sector.
Community Action for Greater Middlesex County/Housing Authority - 52 Green Street - $50,000 for First Time Home Owner/Multi-Family Down Payment Assistance. Housing Authority residents are offered training and down payment assistance to buy housing.
American Red Cross - 93 Broad Street - $33,250 for Lead Safe Emergency Housing - two units of lead free housing will be rented to house families who have a lead emergency while their housing is being abated, and $5,000 for Community Services Program.
Armory Community Cultural Center, Inc. - 70 Main Street - $90,000 toward renovation of an historic Main Street Armory building as a downtown community cultural center.
Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce - 393 Main Street - $26,000 toward the Workfare/Worker Preparation Program.
The Turning Point - 437 Main Street - $12,000 toward an after-school and vacation program for at-risk 7th and 8th graders.
Community Health Center - Homeroom - 635 Main Street - $8,000 toward an after-school program for at-risk youth ages 6-18.
Kuhn Employment Opportunities, Inc. - Middletown Mobile Work Crew - $9,750 toward the work crew which focuses on the downtown and park areas.
Literacy Volunteers - 123 Broad Street - $5,000 toward literacy training atthe Russell Library.
St. Vincent dePaul Place - 615 Main Street - $6,000 toward the meals, pantry and support services programs.
The Connection, Inc. - Eddy Shelter - LaBella Circle - $5,000 toward helping shelter clientele find and keep permanent housing.
YMCA of Northern Middlesex County, Inc. - 99 Union Street - Teen Outreach and Recreation - $5,000 toward the weekend program for teens from the inner City and housing projects.
Municipal Development Office - 245 deKoven Drive. JOBS Loan Program - $30,000 for creation of jobs for low/moderate income people; North End Industrial Area - $100,000 toward reclaiming/development of the area; Residential Rehabilitation Program - $120,000 administered with Housing Rehab Institute, Inc. for rehab of City's older housing to benefit low/moderate income households; and General Program Administration.
KidCity - Main Street - $90,000 toward a Main Street children's museum.
The number of households targeted for CDBG funds, specifically to improve housing, is: 4 for down payment assistance, 40 for residential rehabilitation, 16 for shelter during lead abatement and 38 to support former shelter residents in permanent housing. Elsewhere in the community in the next year, there will be 40 units of supportive housing coming on-line at Liberty Commons, Habitat for Humanity will be up and working on their first projects and Christmas In April plans to rehab 10 houses.
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 areas, and unemployment levels.
MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects in addition: a table provides information about the project(s).
MAP 6 depicts neighborhood streets and proposed HUD funded projects, as described in the table under MAP 5.
