nothin Geller’s Work Inspires “Geller Homes” | New Haven Independent

Geller’s Work Inspires Geller Homes”

Aliyya Swaby Photo

Gov. Malloy at Monday’s ribbon-cutting.

Barbara Geller.

Just eight months after the death of New Haven’s Barbara Geller, her work lived on anew as local leaders cut the ribbon to open a supportive housing complex in her name.

Local and state leaders gathered to celebrate the opening of Geller Commons, a 33-unit affordable and supportive housing complex, at 136 Sanford St. in Hamden Monday morning. The mixed-income complex, developed by homeless agency New Reach, will provide homes for people with disabilities and mental illness, as well as young people who have aged out of the foster system.

The project was funded by the state Housing Finance Authority, Department of Housing and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Geller worked for the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to build housing in the state to help the chronically homeless with affordable housing and individualized on-site services. Officials hoped she would live long enough to see the development open, said New Reach CEO Kellyann Day. She died in August 2015 at the age of 71.

Of the 33 one-bedroom apartments in Geller Commons, 17 will be permanent supportive housing for the very low income with social services on site — 10 for the chronically homeless and seven for young people at risk of homelessness. The other 16 will be for the low income to very low income.

Malloy (right): One step toward ending chronic homelessness.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Geller Commons is part of his administration’s push to end chronic homelessness in the state, with almost 18,000 units of housing completed or committed to be funded during his time in office. This is an overall effort. I got to say I’m proud of an administration that’s found a way to break down the silos that have long existed in state government,” he said. We’ve got everybody pulling in the right direction,” including reducing recidivism, providing mental health services and offering resources to overcome addiction.

Funding supportive housing provides people with safety and support they need to live independent lives and cuts public costs further down the line, said Nancy Navarretta, deputy commissioner of the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Priscilla Baldwin, Geller’s granddaughter, called having her grandmother’s name on a project geared at helping the community appropriate to her personality.

Margie and Priscilla Baldwin.

She was honest to a fault, never minced her words and remained focused on the goal,” she said. Having her name on this building meant to serve others less fortunate is truly a grand statement to her legacy.”

The sentiment was echoed by all speakers Monday who had come into contact with Geller.

Looney (center): Geller inspired as government official.

New Haven State Sen. Martin Looney said he first met Geller June 28, 1976, his first day working as a public information officer for the city of New Haven. She was working in the Human Resources department and welcomed him into City Hall. Looney later married Geller to her husband former Superior Court Judge Thayer Ted” Badlwin.

Her talent lay in attracting people who wanted to do good things, people who saw the potential in government service,” Looney said. There are people who, if they knew Barbara, there wouldn’t be as many people who see the word government official’ as a pejorative term.”

She made a special effort to attack the problem of chronic homelessness, making sure that something good did happen in every position she held in government,” he said.

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