Housing
Affordable housing is generally defined as housing that is available to households making less than the area median income and costing less than 30% of a household’s annual income. This can include both naturally-occurring (market-rate) apartment units or specifically restricted properties that have been income-limited by deed. In developing this Plan, members of an Ad-Hoc Committee, aided by the Director of Economic & Community Development and an outside consultant, reviewed current housing conditions, demographic and market trends, community resources, and the input of Town residents, including responses to a public survey, to assess Putnam’s current and future needs and develop recommendations. While recognizing that Putnam’s historic settlement pattern, geographic and capacity limitations on public infrastructure, significantly aging housing stock, and market conditions will likely limit rapid housing or population growth, this Plan strives to make progress in several ways.
View here: Affordable Housing Plan
The Town's Director of Economic and Community Development has been appointed as the municipal contact for all housing-related development.
Resources:
Putnam Housing Authority is located at 123 Laconia Avenue and can be reached via phone at
HUD (US Department of Housing and Urban Development) has many resources to offer individuals looking for assistance in with housing. Some helpful tools are:
- The Find Shelter Tool that provides information about housing, shelter, health care, and clothing resources in communities across the country.
- The Housing Choice Voucher Program (commonly known as Section 8) which is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market.
- The Rental Assistance page has resources for finding an apartment, public housing, using a voucher, and general advisement.
- Help specific to Senior Citizens can be found here to determine what kind of assistance or living arrangement you need; what your health insurance might cover; and what you can afford. There are also HUD-approved housing counselors available for questions.
- Help specific to Homeless Veterans that addresses the issue of veteran homelessness and provides important links for homeless veterans seeking help, links and resources from HUD's partners, and policy, strategies, and guidance.
The Center for Housing Equity and Opportunity of Eastern Connecticut has asked us to please take a moment to fill out a brief survey. Your input is important!