Jonathan Steinberg was not a fan of 122 Wilton Road.
Like many Westporters, the state representative thought the new apartment building at the Kings Highway North corner was too big for the land, and too close to wetlands.
But when Steinberg learned who will be moving in, he changed his mind — dramatically.
He’s betting many other Westporters will too.
The 19 Homes with Hope apartments were distributed by lottery to “working poor” individuals, and their families.
Nearly all have ties to Westport, through jobs and/or families.
Some work in local supermarkets; others for landscape companies, and cleaning homes.
One apartment will be rented by a Ukrainian family. They’ve been underhoused, since arriving in Westport as refugees.
122 Wilton Road apartments.
According to Helen McAlinden, CEO of Homes with Hope, an individual must earn $42.50 an hour to afford a studio apartment in Fairfield County.
Someone making Connecticut’s minimum wage of $15.69 an hour — and working 2 jobs — cannot come close to that.
Nineteen of those workers — and, in some cases, their families — will now have secure housing. For some, it’s the first time in their lives.
Every resident of 122 Wilton Road is “a productive member of society,” McAlinden says. They have at least one job. They work hard, serve employers and customers, pay taxes, and have hopes and dreams for the future.
“This building will allow these people an opportunity to live in this wonderful town,” where some already work, McAlinden says.
Their children “will reap the benefits of our brilliant school system. In many cases, they’ll be the first in their family to go to college.”
Kitchen, in a 3-bedroom apartment.
One of the many excited new tenants is a woman named Laura. She’s the community closet coordinator for Open Doors Shelter in Norwalk.
She’ll move in with her fiancé — who prints shirts in a warehouse for an e-commerce firm — and their 2 1/2-year-old daughter.
“Honestly, this is life-changing,” Laura says.
They’ve spent the past 5 years in one bedroom, at his grandparents’ house.
“It’s a blessing to be with them,” Laura acknowledges. “But our daughter needs her own space. We need to not worry about her making too much noise, and to cook whenever we want.”
The hunt for affordable housing has been “discouraging,” Laura says.
“We’ve been on lists in Norwalk, but others were closed. We applied in Stamford and Fairfield, but never heard back.”
She learned about the Wilton Road apartments from another list she is on.
“We can’t wait,” Laura says. “We’re a little nervous, but we feel like this is our time.”
A bedroom in one of the 122 Wilton Road apartments.
Another new resident is an older, disabled Westporter who works around town. On a fixed income, he could not afford to be here any longer. He is thrilled to now remain in the community where he was raised, and has lived for so long.
122 Wilton Road is close to the Post Road bus route — an important consideration for those without a car.
And — crucially — those 19 units of affordable housing will go a huge way to help Westport meet the state’s 8-30g requirement, avoiding lawsuits and other, potentially much larger, construction due to a lack of such housing.
Because of the building’s size and location, Steinberg says, “I was frustrated for the community. None of us expected a good outcome.”
But, he says, when he learned that all the units would be deemed “affordable,” under Connecticut’s income formula, he realized its benefits.
“Westport is a model for the state,” as legislators contemplate changes to regulations, he says.
Because of this project, and other small clusters of affordable housing in town, “we will have a seat at the table in Hartford. We can help direct the best outcomes for Westport.”
The hallways are decorated with art and photographers by Westporters Miggs Burroughs, Tom Kretsch, Katharine Ross and Susan Fehlinger. All have local or New England themes. Burroughs paused earlier this month, while hanging the works.
The original plan was for 6 units of affordable housing, and 13 at market rate. Town officials denied the plan. But after 7 years of litigation, developer Richard Friedman prevailed, on 8-30g grounds.
McAlinden developed a good relationship with the builder. When he decided to sell the building, McAlinden realized it aligned with Homes with Hope’s mission: to end homelessness in the area, and provide resources for self-reliance.
The units include 4 one-bedroom apartments, 8 with two bedrooms, and 7 with three. Millenium Property Management will manage the building.
Homes with Hope will connect residents with essential resources, including job training, counseling and other support services.
“Essential workers like store associates and service industry professionals are the backbone of Westport,” Homes with Hope notes. “Yet many struggle to find affordable housing near their workplaces.”
Living close to work will reduce commuting times and costs. Increased disposable income can be reinvested in the local economy.
Affordable housing fosters economic diversity. “This inclusivity strengthens the cultural richness of Westport, creating a more vibrant and dynamic place to live,” Homes with Hope adds.
For months, Westporters have driven past 122 Wilton Road, and wondered who would want to live there.
Now they know: 19 hard-working, very appreciative families do.
Thanks, Dan, for this story. I’ll now view the building with gratitude, and save my grumbling for the blue monstrosity.
This is a terrific outcome. I had actually driven by it a couple of weeks ago and wondered what the status was. And, with the medical complex across the street, it did not look out of place as I originally thought it would.
Thank you, Dan. This was very moving and I actually felt somewhat ashamed for having previously thought “Who would want to live in that eyesore?” Now we know and I am proud to be a Westporter.
Thank you Dan for educating all of us. I too, have curiously driven by this building and wondered… does this truly fit? I now understand that it not only fits but it provides our community with an aoportunity to give opportunity to families who are hard-working and also desire to provide the best they can for their children. As a native Westporter since 1960, this project puts a smile on my face. This project demonstrates that we are bringing part of the Old Westport into the New Westport that stands for excellence and beauty. Ilise Hold, LPC
Nice story. Love how it could impact so many families in such a positive way. A shame so many get wound up about the look or “fit” while claiming inclusivity!!
I hate 8-30g. But this is a great outcome. I might have missed this, but unclear if all 19 units are deed-restricted and help Westport in the 8-30g calculation. Can anyone clear that up or explain why I can’t read. Thanks.
ALL are deed-restricted as affordable units. This is proof that 8-30g compels bloviated developments in exchange for a handful of affordable units. We need to start talking about the folly of constructing 66 market-rate units for every 33 units of affordable housing.
It would be interesting to know the vacancy rates for market-rate units and the length of time they remain vacant.
Anyone?
Agreed. I am sitting here looking out my window at 5 homes worth ~$2.5 million each, which were allowed as a negotiated 8-30g settlement. Not a single unit of affordable housing in site. 8-30g was simply used as a state-sanctioned cudgel to force the town into approving those 5 homes on a lot which was not originally zoned for 5 houses.
Tax credits and other incentives designed to incent private developers and towns to build affordable housing, and only affordable housing, would be much more worthy tools to solve a big problem.
Time for real solutions, not developer friendly weapons that are way past the sell-by date.
Every once in a while we get an outcome that surprises us all. This is one of those. Thanks goes to Helen McAlinden @ Home With Hope for seeing the possibilities and not resting till the goal was achieved.
I live nearby and have been one of those naysayers. Mostly because of how it is situated on the land and blocks the view of the tidal marsh (is that what it’s called?) behind it. I still feel that way about the design but knowing how it is doing good in our town will give me a reason to smile every time I drive by now. Thank you, Dan, for your story.
Thank you for clarifying what the building will be used for. It warms my heart to learn the town is making itself accessible to those who work in town. I am so appreciative for all those new neighbors who make Westport what it is … a terrific town in beautiful CT.
I am so proud of Westport and Homes with Hope for providing these tenants the opportunities–and dignity–that come with having their own place to live in our community.
This is very cool. As are ALL Westporters past, present and future. I hope the Museum of History and Culture is taking notes. They could learn a few things from Westport.
sounds like sidewalks will be needed and crosswalks, looking forward.
Garden Homes installed a length of long-desired sidewalk along Kings Highway North to the benefit of the whole neighborhood.
It’s been a joy to behold the daily stream of walkers, runners, people pushing strollers, and walking dogs that can now do so safely.
what about on 33 right there down to where there is a sidewalk?
I see people walking on 33 Wilton road when there is no sidewalk, it is so scary!
Congratulations to our new neighbors and to everyone at Homes with Hope for making this possible. Being able to provide the folks that work within our town that do not make hundreds of thousand of dollars or even 50k the opportunity to live and raise children here is amazing. Welcome to Westport.
This is great. Happy homecoming to the residents!
This is a story that really needed telling, Dan. With all the land-use controversies raging recently, I had sort of shrugged my shoulders in resignation at this one. How wonderful to learn of the purpose and outcome. Thank you, Dan, and thank you, Jonathan, for alerting Westporters to the positive projects this town is capable of.
Such a wonderful story! Kudos to Homes With Hope
and the town of Westport – yet again!!!
Here’s to welcoming many more working families to Westport!!
Thanks for telling the story, Dan, and especially thanks to Helen for all her good work. And while I’m at it, thanks, as always, to Homes with Hope. I was not happy about situating any development in that location, but this news is wonderful.
I pass by that building on the regular, and like many I found it utterly distasteful. Too much an environmental hazard, too fire unsafe, too ugly in that New Westport ChicTM kind of way.
Now, I have to say, if it’s going to such a good use as to house deserving people, I’ll drive by it and feel a sense of pride instead of annoyance.
(Still an ugly design, but better it stands ugly than exist pretty on paper)
Dan,
Thank you Dan, my friend Jonathan Steinberg, Saint Helen McAlinden, and everyone who has assured that the new residents of 122 Wilton Road will enjoy the warmest of welcomes to their new homes.
During the months of the building’s construction, I overheard uncharacteristically uncharitable remarks from people I respect that made me fear the new residents would not be well-received by neighbors and others in our community.
Shame on me for not knowing better.
Just because the building is an eyesore and located in a place that will only complicate traffic issues does not mean that it would be held against the residents. I’m kind of offended at that suggestion and find the comment to be rather passive-aggressive. (And I live on the opposite side of Town, so am not being a NIMBY.)
While we obviously have legal (and moral) obligations as a Town to provide the mandated inventory of affordable housing, that does not mean that 8-30g requirements are either appropriate or good for Westport. As they don’t allow for older housing stocks to be included in our inventory of affordable housing, the regulations are simply a gift to property developers, who are the last people who need the gift.
If one developer is assigning a higher than required portion of units to affordable users, Great! But we know that the vast majority offer up the bare minimum required by law – or leverage the threat into building McMansions that make housing in Westport less affordable.
So lets not twist our arms, patting ourselves on the backs. The ends don’t always justify the means.
Welcome to our new residents of Westport. But our representatives need to work more effectively to address State regulations that actively harm our Town.
I appreciate the attempts to make westport more economically diverse and cluster housing like this is the best way, ideally located either in a walkable place or near public transportation as this is. It would obviously be better if there were neighborhoods where this sort of thing didn’t stick out quite so much but i think it’s great that folks who work in the community can live here.
“It would obviously be better if there were neighborhoods where this sort of thing didn’t stick out quite so much…:this sort of ‘thing’?
Are you kidding me? How do you really feel Michelle?
Despicable.
Not sure why Michael thinks my comment is despicable, i was referencing the comment about how the neighbors feel about the large apartment building near their high cost home. Don’t feel that’s despicable at all, just trying to share some understanding for someone who doesn’t like having a high density driveway next to their single family home, while being 100% supportive of affordable housing in westport.
I’m still having a hard time understanding why a brand new, beautiful, spacious, water view home is given to poor immigrants basically. I know SO MANY people working their buttons off 6 or 7 days a week who have REAL ties to Westport that will never be given this gift. I guess if you’re a white, 9th generation, American you don’t fit this narrative. We already have a LOT of that charitable housing but now we’re doing more?? I just don’t get it.
What a hateful comment. And what a poor reading of the article.
What part of it did you miss about most new residents at 122 Wilton Road having long and direct ties to Westport — perhaps longer than your own?
What part did you miss about the fact that they all work at least one — sometimes two or three — jobs, contributing taxes, and helping the local economy with whatever they purchase?
This not “charity” housing. It is providing a home to 19 families that have been unable to afford one, at rents that are affordable according to a state formula, in a housing market that has become a national crisis.
And just for the record, the apartments are not “spacious.” They are, however, comfortable — the kind of place that every American (and refugees from countries like Ukraine) deserves.
The good news is, you don’t speak for the vast majority of Westporters. Please take your feelings of grievance and victimization elsewhere.
It actually took longer than expected for current and past Westport residents to show their true colors.
Where would you like people to go Diana? Let me guess; Bridgeport? Norwalk? Stamford?
Diana, where did you get the belief that these are being “given” to anyone? Aside from the mention of one Ukranian refugee family, here did you get the concept that “immigrants” are being given anything? Stop listening to Trump and his ilk, read what was written, and think for yourself. BTW, when did your ancestors come to this country?
Sorry John .. I didn’t fully read the article but I don’t like getting beaten up because you all don’t agree withme. To answer your question … German relatives came to the U.S. in 1840 and 1846. My English Scottish relatives came in 1761 and 1796. They brought a skill and assimilated.
Dan, I applaud your giving the opportunity for each Westport resident /taxpayer to have a forum in which to express his opinion. That said,,IMAO you crossed the line in berating Diana’s comment.She read and understood the party line . But when did having an opposing opinion result in being called ignorant or hateful?There are homeless kids begging outside Fairfield Univ.but we tossed the keys to homeless Ukrainians. Certainly, there are displaced families living in hovels on the Gaza strip. If we are going to open our doors to residents of Ukraine,let’s import a Palestinian family.,and a few Haitians from Springfield,Oh and last but not least,a handful of Venezuelans. They work as well, selling drugs and counterfeit goods.
Moving forward, let us keep in mind having opposing opinions is the foundation of democracy. “I disapprove of what you say,but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” – Voltaire
The hate is strong with this one.
Thank you Caroline. It’s Dan’s blog but I was shocked that he personally came after me because he personally didn’t agree with me. BTW .. I loved living in Milford, Norwalk and Stamford so I’m not sure why those places are not a good place for others to live. Maybe Westporters can help Asheville NC citizens since our Leaders aren’t.
Milford, Norwalk and Stamford are good places for others to live. So is Westport. We can’t build a wall. We are part of the world — and part of Connecticut.
As for helping Asheville: There are several collections going on here for them. And perhaps you should listen to the governor of North Carolina (and South Carolina, and Georgia), who have all thanked the US government for their help.
Just imagine what things would be like if FEMA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and National Weather Service were gutted.
And while you’re at it, ask North Carolina Lieutenant Governor (and gubernatorial candidate) Mark Robinson why he voted AGAINST aid to North Carolina, when disaster loomed.
Mr.Mc Carthy, hate implies a strong, gut wrenching emotional aversion coupled with enmity or malice. Those of us who express opposing points of view harbor no malice or enmity . When it comes to “affordable housing” we realize hard times can befall any one of us. As a result absolutely the community should reach out with a helping hand for a year, not for generations of subsidized housing.
As for the difference between our ancestors and this new wave of immigrants, the former were determined to integrate themselves into the fabric of American culture. They learned English. They worked hard to support themselves and provide for their family. There was no sense of entitlement. There was a sense of sacrifice, deferred gratification,ambition to achieve the American dream.
I think you have a very limited view of this “new wave of immigrants” and a sense of history that is seriously myopic. My Irish ancestors and the Italian immigrants who built this town were not viewed by the “native” folks who had arived here 100-200 years before them as being “hard working” and looking to “integrate themselves into the fabric of American culture.” Your happy-faced revisionist history of the 19th centruy immigrant experience and how they were welcomed with open arms is simply wrong. Your attack on present-day immigrants could have been taken word for word from hateful and ignorant 19th century NY or Westport publications that were trying to turn back history and the powerful force of immigration that made this country what it is today.
Have some empathy and recognize that history did not start when you bought your first Mercedes.
Ms. Bennett,
I admire your spunk but this is Westport (where hate has no home but sanctimony resides in every McMansion). If you’re going to compete in this arena, you need to hire a world class coach.
Mr Mc Carthy, at no time did our ancestors get a muffin basket at Ellis Island. Quite the opposie. They were grateful, not claiming entitlement as are today’s migrants. Additionally, they learned ENGLISH, worked hard, deferred gratification, saved towards buying the American dream home. One Greenwich teacher recently spoke regarding diversity in Greenwich schools where as of this writing, 19 different languages are spoken. 122 Wilton now tossed the keys to Ukranians . Assuming they are not childless, taxpayer $$$$$$ will now be spent on translators. The keys were also tossed to a woman named Laura who currently lives in a home in Norwalk owned by her baby father’s grandmother. They have no connection ro Westport. Both she and her “fiance” of 5 years work in Norwalk.They are not homeless. They wanted to move out of his grandmother’s home because they want to eat at a different time than grandma and want to have sex in a bedroom separate from their 2 .5 yr old. Her words,not mine.
If you and the self described genleman , 70s SHS grad ,think this is taxpayer money well spent, I disagree. But I’m a capitalist,not a communist.
Why are you so hell-bent on denying things to others? Especially the ones who don’t look and sound like you? Do you not have enough? Do you need more? What do you need? Do you need a wine refrigerator for the outdoor kitchen? Are you out of Crème de la Mer? Has your Hermès scarf seen better days? I’m worried about you. Please tell us if there’s a Grey Gardens situation we should know about.
Caroline, there is differing opinions and then there is being hateful. I know you know the difference. Dan is allowed to respond however he wants, its his blog and he can certainly respond in the same tone that a reader is attacking him. But your references are clearly designed to be controversial and hateful. You are purposely referencing hateful lies about the Hatian immigrant community – who are there legally and according to the Republican mayor of that city are being helpful to the economy. If you’re referencing Trump and Vance lies about the black community of legal immigrants and their behavior you can’t quote racist lies and also claim to just have a different opinion.