HOUSE DEMOCRATS • JIM SHAPIRO • NEWSROOM - 2008
Newsroom - 2008
May 30, 2008
Stamford’s legislative delegation welcomed the approval today by the State Bond Commission of $5 million in state bonding for the Vidal Court public housing revitalization project in Stamford.
In 2004, the state legislature approved a bond package that included $20 million for the Vidal Court project. With today’s approval, $10 million of that funding has been released by the State Bond Commission.
Sen. Andrew McDonald (D-Stamford), Sen. William Nickerson (R-Greenwich), Rep. Carlo Leone (D-Stamford), Rep. Gerald Fox, III (D-Stamford), Rep. Jim Shapiro (D-Stamford), Rep. Christel Truglia (D-Stamford), Rep. William Tong (D-Stamford), and Rep. Livvy Floren (R-Greenwich) have actively been pushing the administration for approval of the remainder of the allocation.
“The approval of an additional $5 million towards this project is significant and an important step forward with this project,” Rep. Fox said. “We will continue to actively pursue the remaining allocation to ensure that this necessary housing is completed. Affordable housing is essential in any community and this new project will be an asset to the City of Stamford.”
“This funding is critical to the continued success and sustained efforts of the Stamford Housing Authority’s revitalization of Vidal Court,” Rep. Leone said. “I am very pleased that the State Bonding Commission has approved this crucial measure.”
Sen. McDonald stated, “We certainly appreciate the governor fulfilling one half of the state’s commitment to this critical project that the state made many years ago. We look forward to working with her to see this project through to completion.”
The project involves replacing the outdated moderate rental housing complex with 216 new affordable housing units and 134 new market-rate family rental units.
April 3, 2008
This afternoon the Connecticut General Assembly approved a bill that will grant the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) $2,204,000 for Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) programs over $1.7 Million in tax abatement programs for the 2008 year. According to State Reps. Gerald Fox (D-Stamford), William Tong (D-Stamford), Christel Truglia (D-Stamford), Carlo Leone (D-Stamford) and James Shapiro (D-Stamford) as well as State Sen. Andrew J. McDonald (D-Stamford), the city is poised to receive $372,683 through the restoration of the PILOT program and $321,335 through tax abatements.
“Last year the General Assembly made a mistake by not including funding for the state moderate rent an tax abatement program,” Rep. Truglia said. “I am very grateful to the leadership in the House and Governor Rell’s support in restoring these funds. This money will be a tremendous help for families, children and the elderly in our community.”
An estimated 551 families – 683 children and 103 residents over the age of 55 – are poised to benefit from the restoration of PILOT funds. Units affected through the PILOT program include Vidal Court, Oak Park and Lawnhill, while the tax abatement program will benefit St. John’s Towers, Friendship House, Martin Luther King Jr., Bayview Towers, Ludlow Townhouse and Pilgrim House.
"Stamford is the clear leader in our state in providing and supporting affordable housing,” Rep. Tong said. “We're able to stay in front and continue our leadership by passing this important bill. It is so important to continue to expand and improve our stock of affordable housing, so that Stamford can continue to lead the state in another vital way - by creating and sustaining more jobs."
The bill, HB 5031: AN ACT CONCERNING PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES FOR PUBLIC HOUSING AND THE LOW AND MODERATE INCOME TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM, allows the DECD to enter into a contract with a municipality on land or improvements which are owned or leased by the housing authority or the Connecticut Finance Authority. Additionally, the program will provide annual reimbursements for local tax abatements of up to $450 for low-moderate income housing throughout the next 40 years in private or non-profit developments.
“You can judge a lot about a society by the way it treats its most fragile citizens,” Rep. Shapiro said. “By restoring these vital housing funds to people who need it most, we have shown the greatness and compassion of our Connecticut community.”
“This funding restores much needed assistance to Stamford’s low income working families,” Rep. Fox said. “We need to continue to expand opportunities for our residents to find affordable housing within our community.”
“We have been fighting for this funding ever since it was removed from the budget and I am happy we have been able to restore these very important dollars for our communities,” Rep. Leone said. “Passage of this bill is important to the livelihoods of so many people in our communities especially since it can mean the difference between having a roof over ones head versus being in an untenable situation.”
“This funding is critical to maintaining the affordable housing spot that Stamford has,” said Senator McDonald. “With the high cost of local housing and the number of employees working in Stamford, $372,000 in PILOT money and $321,000 in tax abatements is going to make a huge difference for these people.”
The bill will now go to Governor M. Jodi Rell for approval.
February 19, 2008
The members of Stamford’s legislative delegation today announced their support for legislation introduced this session that will restore over $3.9 million in state funding for low and moderate-income public housing and will ultimately protect tenants from looming increases in rent.
Historically, local housing authorities and non-profits that provide low and moderate-income housing options were not billed for property taxes because municipalities received payment from the state under the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) and Low and Moderate Income Tax Abatement programs. Under the current biennial state budget, the tax reimbursement funding was cut, forcing cities and towns to assess property taxes on housing authorities.
The General Assembly’s Select Committee on Housing today held a public hearing on the topic.
“Until last July’s legislative session, the state for years had covered the property tax payments that housing authorities and nonprofit housing developments would have otherwise owed municipalities,” said State Rep. Gerald Fox, III (D-Stamford). “Unfortunately, that funding was cut and needs to be restored. Without these reimbursements, local housing authorities will have to cover the lost revenue and the costs will ultimately be passed onto the residents who least can afford it.”
State Rep. Carlo Leone (D-Stamford) explained, “It is crucial that we uphold the promise we have made to our constituents. Affordable housing funds are critical to the success of our workforce and our communities should not have the rug cut out from under them when it is clear that it’s within our control to assist them. We have provided these funds in the past and should continue doing so to invest in our human capital throughout the state.”
“The loss of this funding seriously damages the ability of many Stamford residents to maintain a decent standard of living,” said State Rep. Christel Truglia (D-Stamford). “By placing more of a burden on their need to afford rent, individuals will be unable to invest in other necessities such as health care and education. Affordable housing is the cornerstone to the livelihood of many of our citizens.”
“The legislature must act now to reaffirm our commitment to public housing,” said State Rep. Jim Shapiro (D-Stamford). “The state has the ability to restore this funding, and we should do so to prevent these types of rent increases.”
State Rep. William Tong (D-Stamford) stated, “The loss of the PILOT funding hits Stamford and its surrounding communities harder than throughout the rest of the state. If this city is going to remain strong and have a prosperous future, it is imperative that programs like PILOT are allowed to continue to function.”
“With continued increasing costs in gas, electric, and heating bills, we cannot add another bill increase to that list,” said State Senator Andrew J. McDonald (D-Stamford). “I support the restoration of this funding and am glad to see growing support for it at the State Capitol.”
January 17, 2008
State Representative Jim Shapiro (D-Stamford) today announced that the State Bond Commission will make a $1.25 million grant-in-aid to the Stamford Center for the Arts when it meets next Friday, January 25, to help cover the costs associated with the completed expansion of the Palace Theater.
“The Stamford Center for the Arts has a rich history in Stamford and I am glad the state is dedicating resources towards our community,” Rep. Shapiro said. “This funding will provide much-needed relief and will dramatically reduce the amount of debt service the Center for the Arts pays every year.”
Shapiro and the other members of the Stamford legislative delegation, including Senator McDonald and Representatives Truglia, Fox, Tong and Leone worked with Lieutenant Governor Michael Fedele and Governor Rell to put this funding on the bond agenda for approval.
“Securing this funding strengthens our artistic community, enhances our nightlife, and promotes the economic vitality of our city,” Rep. Shapiro said. “The Stamford Center for the Arts is an engine driving the growth and development of downtown. This funding not only helps the organization, it enriches all of Stamford.”
State Rep. Jim Shapiro is serving his second term in the General Assembly representing the 144th District of Stamford. He is the Vice Chair of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, and also serves on both the Education and Public Safety Committees.
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