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Sports blog: Warrior Nation

By KARA O'CONNOR

Villager Staff Writer


WILTON -- Due to a troubled economy, a Wilton elderly housing project that has been in the works for about a decade is now looking at new avenues for funding.

George Ciaccio, chairman of Wilton Commons, said the state Department of Economic and Community Development (CEDC) and the Connecticut Housing and Finance Authority's funds have been frozen for the past two years because of the economic downturn, forcing the proposed elderly housing complex to stay in the planning stages. Despite this obstacle, over the past year, the Wilton Commons' board has remained very active in continuing building plans and financing efforts for the 4.5-acre, affordable housing facility, he said.

"Even with this financial block, the town has raised close to two million dollars in a little over a year," said Ciaccio, who noted the project still needs to raise $13 million. "We have been getting nothing but support from everyone in Wilton and I am determined to get this project done."

The housing project's proposed location is between Station Street and the Trackside teen center off Route 7. The town has given Wilton Commons the option to lease the property for $1 a year.

Ciaccio said the Wilton Commons board recently put in another application with the CEDC and filed a new application with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD.) Ciaccio said he expects to hear back from the CEDC and HUD within the next month.

According to State Sen. Toni Boucher, R-26, Wilton doesn't have a housing authority and, with the economy in such bad shape, she doesn't think any state or federal programs have any extra money to help fund the project.

"The state is in such an economic downturn that any money that it does have is going to younger families with children in public housing authorities," said Boucher. "Which is a shame because senior living is still a priority that needs to be addressed."

Ciaccio said people have worked "too long and too hard" on the project to give up now.

"I am not giving up on this project," he said. "Hopefully one of the two (programs) will be able to give us funds, however both would make things much easier."

There is a huge need for Wilton Commons to be completed, Ciaccio said. Currently, there are roughly 100 people on a waiting list for the proposed 74 housing units, said Ciaccio.

"I get calls weekly asking where the project stands," he said. "I'm at the point where I'm not just looking at the dollars, but I'm looking at the faces behind the dollars. The people who need this housing are really the driving force to keep me going with this project."

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