Patience, luck and more lead to new homes

KENT — Kent Affordable Housing (KAH) celebrated the completion of five new apartments at its Stuart Farms location with a grand opening ceremony on Friday, June 1.  

Since its founding in 1990, KAH has steadily built affordable housing units in the community. The Stuart Farms apartments are the latest addition, bringing the total number of low-rental apartments in Kent to 34.

The new units are in addition to the five original residences on the site, for a total of 10 apartments at Stuart Farms. 

KAH President Virginia Bush-Suttman said that the group’s residences are clustered in a small intimate community on a property that is not only wooded and attractive but also historic.

“It’s a quarter mile from town and was once the center of a 200-acre farm originally purchased for 40 British pounds in1764,” she said.

After five years of planning, construction of the new apartments, overseen by general contractor Montagno Construction, began in July 2017. The two two-bedroom units and three one-bedroom units were designed by Stephen Laser Architects to be comfortable, functional and allow for plenty of natural light. 

Three of the apartments have garages, and one is handicapped accessible. Solar panels installed on the roof are already generating electricity.   

The monthly rent for these new apartments will range from $400 to $1,100, depending on family size and income level in relation to the area median income. New residents are expected to move in within the coming days.

“This project came in over budget and over schedule,” mused Bush-Suttman to a modest crowd. “I’d like to be able to brag to the contrary — but, we got it done.”

First Selectman Bruce Adams thanked Bush-Suttman for all her hard work and for being the face of KAH.

State Rep. Brian Ohler (R-64) remarked, “Virginia, to see your fingerprints on all of these wonderful projects gives us hope for other towns.”

Bush-Suttman concluded the opening celebration by saying, “People often ask me, ‘How do you develop affordable housing?’ To which I reply, ‘With the patience of Job, the determination of Sisyphus, and the luck of the Irish.’”