our summer 2024 newsletter!

Winter - 2023/2024

Dear friends and neighbors – 

As we prepare to put 2023 behind us, the Board of the Sharon Housing Trust wants to extend a heartfelt “thanks!” to all those individuals in service to our community who have been instrumental in the Trust’s accomplishments this year. Without the efforts of the Board of Selectmen, The Planning and Zoning Commission, the Sharon Sewer and Water Commission, the Sharon Building and Zoning Department and the Sharon Historic Commission, these efforts would likely not have come to pass. All of these organizations recognize the strong link between housing solutions for all residents and community vitality, and their dedication to community health is essential to our progress.

Late 2022 and early 2023 saw the Trust focus on the Town-owned Community Center adjacent to Sharon Center School. After many months of discussion with various Sharon entities, the process to allow the Trust to move forward with converting the Community Center into four apartments in a cooperative and sensitive way is concluding. The Trust hopes to be able to obtain site control in early 2024, and can then begin the work needed to obtain final construction approvals.

2023 began with the Sharon Housing Trust, in conjunction with the Litchfield County Center for Housing Opportunities (LCCHO) and The Foundation from Community Health (FCH) holding an informational session at the Bok Gallery at the Sharon Playhouse. The purpose was to discuss the Town of Sharon Affordable Housing Plan with community members, and to review opportunities for workforce housing expansion. The meeting was well attended, and the consensus was to move forward as expeditiously as possible. The Community Center project was presented as a potential opportunity.

In February of 2023, a new opportunity arose, made possible by the very generous support of local individuals. On July 1, 2023, the Sharon Housing Trust became the owners of a six unit apartment complex at 91, 93 & 95 N. Main Street. This property is also adjacent to Sharon Center School as well as the former Community Center.

The work to determine the needed repairs and renovation of these three buildings is taking place in earnest. Inspections have been done, and a scope of work has been developed.  NBT Bank has provided a grant for high priority work, and fundraising activities are progressing. Applications are also being completed for funding from the Connecticut Department of Housing for needed projects. The Trust is grateful to David Berto of Housing Enterprises, Inc. as well as Jocelyn Ayer of the LCCHO for their aid in guiding the way through the myriad state channels for funding housing development. These are real heroes making sure the state’s commitment to fund workforce housing solutions flows into Litchfield County.

In early December, 2023, The Sharon Housing Trust received an extraordinarily generous grant from NBT Bank!  NBT Bank supports many of the region's affordable housing non-profits as they are also committed to community health and vitality.  We look forward to a long partnership.

We are also grateful to the Hotchkiss Library here in Sharon for allowing the Board to use the Community Programming Room to hold its meetings.

The renovated facilities are beautiful, and if you haven't visited the library since its reopening, you will be amazed at what a dedicated community has been able to accomplish!

2024 will be a very exciting year!

Limited only by our resources, the Trust will move to rehabilitate and create housing the Community can be proud of, and aid in relieving the lack of affordable housing in Sharon. 

We ask for your support in whatever fashion it may take. Time is treasure as well, and there’s always a lot to be done.

Consider getting involved as a Board member or as a Committee member. We'd love to hear why you would like to help make a difference.  Donations are also always welcome and acknowledged!