Sharon seeks grant for affordable housing

SHARON — David Berto, a consultant from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), was the featured speaker at a public hearing held at Sharon Town Hall led by First Selectman Casey Flanagan and Sharon Housing Trust President Rich Baumann on Wednesday, May 22.

Berto is working with Sharon Housing Trust to apply for a sum from the approximately $12,000,000 funds available through the CDBG program for towns looking to strengthen their community development.

Sharon’s proposed project is converting the Community Center into four rental apartments.

The Housing Trust will apply to receive approximately $1,000,000. The use of this grant would fall under the Affordable Housing Infrastructure Panning, Engineering, and Construction eligible activity.

Berto explained that the expected grant of $1,000,000 will ensure the completion of the project, as outlined by past projects the CDBG has worked on. The grant amount is specifically to be used for housing development to benefit low and moderate-income residents.

If the grant is awarded and funds are passed to the Housing Trust, Berto will stay on as a consultant through the completion of the project. Should the need arise, Berto stated he would remain available to the Town of Sharon for several years after the Community Center’s completion to aid in any further questions. He will be compensated for his consultation with either $30,000 or 8% of the award grant, whichever is lower, per CDBG’s rules.

Berto also noted that there is a possibility that CDBG may grant additional funds exceeding $1,000,000, but that the amount set is the group’s calculated estimate to ensure the project can be completed.

He was confident that seeking additional funding from other sources would not be necessary, but that there were options available.