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April 20, 2023 REAL ESTATE

Developer plans New Haven’s first ‘LGBTQ-affirming’ housing complex

PHOTO| Courtesy Pennrose A rendering of a proposed redevelopment of New Haven's Strong School, in the Fair Haven neighborhood.
By Liese Klein

A Boston-based developer plans to convert the former Strong School in Fair Haven into New Haven’s first “LGBTQ-affirming” apartment complex, according to a proposal presented to city planners on Wednesday night.

Pennrose, which has developed affordable housing complexes in Hartford and Meriden in recent years, presented its plans as part of deliberation on a zoning change and development agreement at the regular meeting of the City Plan Commission. 

The commission unanimously approved the zoning change to allow for the development and passed along the project’s Development and Land Disposition Agreement (DLDA) to the Board of Alders with a positive recommendation. 

The vintage 1915 Strong School, at 69 Grand Ave., has sat vacant since 2013 in the heart of Fair Haven’s commercial district. The developers sought to change the zoning of a section of the property to allow for a conversion into housing. 

Pennrose proposes to restore the historic school building while removing some 1990s-era additions to create 58 apartments, all to be rented to tenants who qualify for affordable housing under city rules. The complex would also include a community meeting area and live-work space for Fair Haven artists. 

The Strong School property is owned by the city and would be sold to Pennrose for $500,000 under the DLDA. The entire project is estimated to cost $27 million and include financing from federal, state and local tax credits and affordable housing program grants.

The LGBTQ-affirming element of the new complex would consist of collaboration with the New Haven Pride Center on features like gender-neutral bathrooms in common areas, Pennrose Senior Developer Karmen Cheung said. The designation would not relate to tenant selection or consist of any set-asides or preferences, she added. 

“It's very different, I think, when the project and whole inspiration includes being intentionally welcoming to this community,” Cheung said. “We're just creating a particular message that individuals that may not always feel comfortable being out in all kinds of multifamily communities – this is a space that is welcoming to them.”

New Haven Deputy Economic Development Director Carlos Eyzaguirre said the project’s LGBTQ-affirming status would expand on the city’s inclusion efforts. “I like to think that most places in New Haven are like this, but it's important to have more spaces that specifically call this out,” he said.

Pennrose, which manages 300 projects nationwide, was praised for its extensive outreach to Fair Haven community members through meetings and presentations of the project in the past year. That outreach paid off in 18 testimonials in favor of the development from residents.

Alder Sarah Miller, who represents Fair Haven and can see the property from her kitchen, said residents were eager to move ahead with the Pennrose proposal. 

“This change facilitates redevelopment of the former Strong School, which is a transformational and necessary project,” Miller said. “There is a lot at stake for our neighborhood.”

Contact Liese Klein at lklein@newhavenbiz.com.

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