New Haven Independent

Rosado (top photo) and Rooney are among 22 disabled and/or homeless seniors moving this month into a new “supportive housing” complex called Whalley Terrace.

They mingled with statewide officials and housing advocates for a celebratory open house Tuesday at the corner of Whalley and Pendleton. Rooney, an 82-year-old WWII vet who had been running out of money renting a room (and eating our of a can) at the Duncan Hotel, is pictured telling Mayor John DeStefano tales of working the old printing presses for the Knights of Columbus. (Click here to read Randall Beach’s feature on Rooney in Sunday’s Register.)

There was lots to celebrate Tuesday.

The 22 seniors can celebrate having modern, long-term one-bedroom apartments (including kitchens and living rooms) that they can afford. They pay between $100 and $500 a month; the state pays the rest. Just as important, they receive counseling, drug treatment, or whatever long-term help they need to stay there instead of on the streets. “This is the best place I’ve ever lived,” said Rosado, who has been disabled for 38 years and learned about Whalley Terrace through Casa Otonal.

The Edgewood neighborhood could celebrate. Neighbors originally opposed the project, which would have been twice the size and included younger drug addicts. The neighborhood is struggling with decay and street crime. Now it has a stable anchor to replace a burnt-out abandoned commercial behemoth that attracted trouble.

A stable anchor, and an attractive one. Local architect Paul Bailey (pictured outside the complex) worked on adding the touches that blend the three-story brick and clapboard-sided building into the neighborhood: double porches, columns, corner boards.

The project’s builders — Home Inc. and Columbus House emergency shelter — stayed in touch and worked well with the neighborhood, reported Alderwoman Liz McCormack.

They also worked fast. Home Inc. and Columbus House could celebrate a notable feat Tuesday in the annals of New Haven development projects: The contractor they hired, Enterprise Builders, constructed the building ahead of schedule, in a year. (The project itself, from inception, took five years.)

A Larger Quest

Most all, participants in Tuesday’s ceremony celebrated a victory on the path of tackling homelessness in a long-term way that transcends temporary shelters. “Supportive housing” aims to keep people in homes they can afford by, in part, putting social services on site that prevent them from ending up back on the street.

It’s a central part of New Haven’s ten-year homelessness plan.

“We believe we can end homelessness,” said Columbus House chief Alison Cunningham. “We would not have said that in 1982.”

Columbus House has been spearheading supportive housing projects in New Haven, including ones in Cedar Hill and on Legion Avenue. Tuesday’s event featured representatives from state agencies putting money behind these projects: Mental Health and Addiction Services, Social Services, and Connecticut Housing Finance Authority.

Next Stop, Avon?

DSS Commissioner Michael Starkowski said Whalley Terrace’s 22 units bring to 95 the number of supportive housing apartments his agency has backed statewide. “We need a lot more,” he said.

Alison Cunningham agreed. She urged the crowd to contact state legislators to urge funding in the next budget for 650 new supportive housing apartments across Connecticut. (For details, call Kate Kelly at the Partnership for Strong Communities, 860-244-0066.)

Mayor DeStefano took the opportunity to needle DSS’s Starkowski about the reluctance of Connecticut to place facilities like this one in suburbs.

“I look forward,” DeStefano said during remarks to the crowd, looking at Starkowski, “to being at the one in Avon that you open next. Right Mike?”

Starkowski chuckled.

Asked afterwards if his agency might ever back supportive housing in Avon, Starkowski chuckled again.

“We’ll put them anywhere where they’re needed,” he said. “Let’s put it that way.”