COMMUNITY FORUM on AFFORDABLE HOUSING
OPINIONS FROM TOWN SECTORS
OPINIONS FROM TOWN SECTORS
OPINIONS FROM TOWN SECTORS
We've selected several people from different sectors of town (educator, doctor, apartment renter, landlord, people of color, business owner, young person, senior, social worker, housing engineer) to offer their opinions about affordable housing in Southbury, and we've reserved time for other attendees to voice their opinions as well.
OPINIONS FROM AUDIENCE
OPINIONS FROM TOWN SECTORS
OPINIONS FROM TOWN SECTORS
This is your chance to share your opinions with everyone! Although meeting everyone's criteria for affordble housing is impossible, SAHA's ears will be wide open, & we'll weigh all the opinions carefully & with as much wisdom & respect as possible.
Empowering & Enriching Communities with SAHA Goals
A nonprofit organization, SAHA is dedicated to strengthening communities through education and a variety of affordable housing for people having incomes under 80% of the area median income (Southbury's AMI in 2023 was about $102,000/year). Like the U.S., we believe in & celebrate a diversity of people.
SAHA PUBLIC FORUM
SWEET FACTS, AFFORDABLE HOMES,6/8/24, 1-3 pm, Southbury Lib.
$0.00
JOIN THE AFFORDABLE HOME DISCUSSION
We at SAHA have read your concerns on Facebook about affordable homes (AH) for seniors & workers & would like hearing more from you!
- And what better way to ensure a 100% survival rate in a public forum than to talk, listen, question, & think while indulging in the best pastries this side of heaven.
- Also, we'll have a drawing for PRIZES--gift certificates for restaurants, Riverview Cinema, a hair salon, etc.--with a select *GRAND PRIZE* drawing of $200 limited to attendees paying more than 30% of their monthly income on rent, mortgage, or HOA fees, incl. $ spent on heat, lights, & a/c.
- Our KEYNOTE SPEAKER, Hugh Bailey, Policy Director at the nonprofit Open Communities Alliance, will focus on research-based facts about AH, with time for Q&A. So, please join us for some spirited conversation! The event will be held in the Kingsley Room at Southbury Library (100 Poverty Road).
ABOUT US
Our Team
SAHA is a locally formed nonprofit that consists of members of the Grassroots Affordable Housing Committee, Southbury residents, and other interested community members. We are dedicated to creating affordable solutions for moderate- to low-income individuals and families.
Our organization is spearheaded by Sharon Wirt, a former anthrop
SAHA is a locally formed nonprofit that consists of members of the Grassroots Affordable Housing Committee, Southbury residents, and other interested community members. We are dedicated to creating affordable solutions for moderate- to low-income individuals and families.
Our organization is spearheaded by Sharon Wirt, a former anthropologist-writer-editor, and pro-active social activist.
Additionally our Board of Directors comprises several professionals and a strong and experienced advisory team. Together we are getting things done and making things happen.
Our Motivation
Southbury is a great town. It has a long history of volunteerism and community involvement. We boast of having green space, good shopping, close proximity to the highway, parks, and a superb school system. We do not, however, have enough housing that is priced at an affordable level. In 2023, only about 1.47% of the town's housing
Southbury is a great town. It has a long history of volunteerism and community involvement. We boast of having green space, good shopping, close proximity to the highway, parks, and a superb school system. We do not, however, have enough housing that is priced at an affordable level. In 2023, only about 1.47% of the town's housing stock was deemed affordable housing.
When housing costs are too high, people become housing-cost burdened and have to make tough, unhealthy decisions between shelter and other necessary goods, such as food and medicine. We are working to increase affordable housing choices for residents and for people who work or volunteer in our community and for others who would like to become part of our community.
Our Mission
Mission: To develop attractive, sustainable housing in Southbury for residents and workers with low to moderate incomes, while respecting the town's physical appearance.
Housing developers have catered to the upper middle, upper, and uber upper classes for years, to the detriment of those with lower incomes. This crisis needs to be addre
Mission: To develop attractive, sustainable housing in Southbury for residents and workers with low to moderate incomes, while respecting the town's physical appearance.
Housing developers have catered to the upper middle, upper, and uber upper classes for years, to the detriment of those with lower incomes. This crisis needs to be addressed.
We also aim to educate residents of Southbury about the economic and community benefits of affordable housing. A town thrives when diversity in heritages and incomes are diverse.
Come Join Our Team!
SAHA Exists to Build
We are seeking talented and energetic individuals with an interest in affordable housing to join our team. Please take a moment to send us an email with your contact information, and we will let you know the many ways that your talents can be utilized within our organization. email SouthburyAHA@gmail.com with your inquiry or volunteer information. We look forward to hearing from you!
SAHA Events
SAHA Exists to Build
SAHA Exists to Build
Our next event is scheduled for April 26th from 2-4 pm. It will take place in the Kingsley Room at the Southbury Library. Learn more about Affordable Housing and come prepared with questions. Our panel of experts will be present to answer your questions and provide up to date answers regarding your concerns.
Please register ahead of
Our next event is scheduled for April 26th from 2-4 pm. It will take place in the Kingsley Room at the Southbury Library. Learn more about Affordable Housing and come prepared with questions. Our panel of experts will be present to answer your questions and provide up to date answers regarding your concerns.
Please register ahead of time in order to reserve your place. Registration will open starting March 22nd on this website.
Also, look for our booth at town events such as the Southbury Green Expo. This year's Expo will be held on Saturday, May 9th from 11AM til 3PM at the Pomperaug Elementary School. There will be live music, face painting, and prizes. It is a great event and is fun for all ages.
SAHA Exists to Build
SAHA Exists to Build
SAHA Exists to Build
If you or anyone you know is considering donating land to a worthy cause, please consider SAHA. We are looking to acquire land in order to build diverse affordable housing for the many diverse workers in town and residents who are housing cost burdened or can't find available housing in the town, Southbury, they work in to fit their budg
If you or anyone you know is considering donating land to a worthy cause, please consider SAHA. We are looking to acquire land in order to build diverse affordable housing for the many diverse workers in town and residents who are housing cost burdened or can't find available housing in the town, Southbury, they work in to fit their budgets. A community.thrives when people of mixed incomes and heritages live and work together.
Contributors
In 2022 the Southbury Community Trust Fund at Connecticut Community Foundation (SCTFCCF) donated funding for predevelopment work on a land parcel when SAHA acquires it. SCTFCCF realizes the dire need in our area for affordable housing and has contributed generously to help rectify this basic but precious requirement for a diverse, democratic community to thrive.
Contributors, cont.
Also in that year, Eversource energy awarded SAHA a donation. Helping communities, Eversource is supporting affordable housing initiatives throughout the State. They are working to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, as is SAHA. We're most appreciative of both SCTFCCF's and Eversource's support!
We'd also like to thank our priva
Also in that year, Eversource energy awarded SAHA a donation. Helping communities, Eversource is supporting affordable housing initiatives throughout the State. They are working to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, as is SAHA. We're most appreciative of both SCTFCCF's and Eversource's support!
We'd also like to thank our private donors and welcome your contributions, no matter how small or large. Every dollar brings us closer to our ultimate goal of providing safe, durably built, sustainable, lovely homes for people with lower to moderate incomes.
Contributors, cont.
In October 2023 SAHA received a Community Champions Grant from Constellation, an ESG (environmental, social, governance) energy company. The largest carbon-free energy producer in the U.S., Constellation promotes sustainability, diversity, equity, belonging, respect, and fighting climate change.
On November 18, 2023, the grant will underwr
In October 2023 SAHA received a Community Champions Grant from Constellation, an ESG (environmental, social, governance) energy company. The largest carbon-free energy producer in the U.S., Constellation promotes sustainability, diversity, equity, belonging, respect, and fighting climate change.
On November 18, 2023, the grant will underwrite another public SAHA event to continue educating the Southbury community about the social, economic, and climate-friendly benefits of affordable housing (AH) as well as dispelling the false myths about it.
The event will feature a model of a small house (larger than a tiny house and smaller than the average house), a video, photos of AH, selected speakers, Q&A, a delectable "house" cake, take-home party favors and fact flyers, and a drawing for prizes. The event is affordable: FREE. Details to come soon.
We'd also like to thank our private donors and welcome your contributions, no matter how small or large. Every dollar brings us closer to our ultimate goal of providing safe, durably built, sustainable, lovely homes for people with lower to moderate incomes.
Our First Project
Our First Project
The plan for our first affordable athousing development will consist of 3 phases and be similar to the townhouse style shown above. Comprising about 60 apartments, with primarily 1 and 2 bedrooms, a couple studio units, and a few 3-bedroom units, it will be energy efficient with sustainable features. Most units will be rentals, with som
The plan for our first affordable athousing development will consist of 3 phases and be similar to the townhouse style shown above. Comprising about 60 apartments, with primarily 1 and 2 bedrooms, a couple studio units, and a few 3-bedroom units, it will be energy efficient with sustainable features. Most units will be rentals, with some for sale at low mortgage rates. Attractive landscaping will afford privacy and improve air quality. Durability, comfort, low energy bills, attention to aesthetics, harmony with neighboring housing, and expert, quality maintenance are the goals. Connecticut's Fair Housing standards will be observed in selecting its residents.
HELP OUR CAUSE
Currently we're accepting checks and PayPal donations. Please make out your check to SAHA & mail it to our president, Sharon Wirt, 463b Heritage Village, Southbury, CT 06488. Your support is deeply appreciated, not only by SAHA but also our future residents!
SAHA PROPOSED AH
Because the need in town for smaller apartments is great, the 60-unit plan for the first of our 3-phase plan will comprise primarily 1 & 2 BRs, a couple studio units, and a few 3-BR units, SAHA will need Town Hall's (TH) approval to acquire land for what will be a large development. Please email TH re. our AH crisis.
Affordable Housing in Connecticut
Kent Affordable Housing