Aligning Partners and Resources to Develop Housing
Many rural and suburban communities in Connecticut are eager to build new homes and neighborhoods, but they often face a major hurdle. Before construction can move forward, they must secure funding for the infrastructure needed to support the new homes, like streets, water and sewer connections, drainage, lighting, walkways, driveways, and landscaping.
In 2024, Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut began planning a new neighborhood in Ledyard, CT to provide the community with a wider range of affordable homeownership opportunities, but they lacked the infrastructure funding.
To address this challenge, Habitat turned to the Center for Housing Opportunity Eastern Connecticut (CHO-EC). Our Eastern CT team worked closely with Habitat, the Town of Ledyard, and the CT Department of Housing to understand where the project stood, what resources were already in place, and what funding gaps remained. Through those conversations, CHO-EC identified a strong potential source of support: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding available through Connecticut’s Small Cities program.
CHO-EC drafted the grant application on the town's behalf, in close coordination with all partners. Ledyard Planning Director Liz Burdick supported the process by providing information, expertise, guidance, and coordination with town staff and leadership. Habitat contributed the project details, budgets, site plans, and studies needed for the extensive application. The Mayor, Town Council, Utility Commission, and town staff all worked to support the application and expand homeownership. Together, the partners presented a strong case for state investment in the project.
CHO-EC filled in gaps in the housing ecosystem to overcome a common hurdle in housing development, demonstrating the power of collective action. We focused on:
- Coordinating between public and nonprofit sectors
- Identifying and closing resource gaps
- Strengthening local capacity
The results followed. In 2026, Ledyard received $2 million to build 38 units of housing.
in grant funding
new homes
“New housing developments require careful coordination between multiple sectors and levels of government, but our systems are not necessarily designed to make it easy. The CHO-EC team stepped in and helped to provide the coordination needed to make these new homes a reality.”
The development will include a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom residences, including 27 single-family homes and 11 multi-family homes. The homes will be sold to families invested in Habitat’s homeownership program through sweat equity, a financial commitment, and a need for safe and equitable housing.
“Towns want to build housing, but they may lack the local capacity or sufficient resources to do the job on their own. The Center for Housing Opportunity Eastern Connecticut steps in to fill the gap, strengthening local capacity to provide housing opportunities for all.”
This collaboration demonstrates how CHO-EC helps communities and nonprofit partners turn housing goals into action. By building cooperation, strengthening local capacity, and connecting projects with the right resources, CHO-EC is helping expand access to affordable homeownership across eastern Connecticut.
in partnership with
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Habitat for Humanity Eastern Connecticut
At Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut, we work with families and the community to build hope and homes. Through sweat equity, education, and partnership, households gain stability through affordable homeownership.
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Town of Ledyard
