Stamford residents vie for new affordable homes

March 29, 2007; As originally appeared in The Advocate by Stephen P. Clark

STAMFORD - Tension quickly mounted in the Stamford Government Center lobby yesterday as Mayor Dannel Malloy revealed the winners of a lottery drawing for affordable units to first-time homebuyers.

Tamika Handy, 26, was one of seven finalists vying to buy two units at the soon-to-be opened Adams Mill River House condominiums on Adams Avenue. She clenched her fists and gritted her teeth as she watched Malloy shake a box containing the names of the finalists before pulling the winners'.

Another finalist, a 39-year-old African immigrant who did not want to be identified, said she would cry if she didn't win.

Leon and Isabell Brevdo, Russian immigrants who live in the St. John Towers complex, are among the tenants of 120 affordable apartments in one building that would be razed to build Tresser Square, a high-rise condominium and retail complex.

"It is life for us, or otherwise it's a very different future," Leon Brevdo, 59, said, explaining what the lottery meant to them. "Regular apartments are very expensive."

Isabell Brevdo, 57, said she was nervous.

Before announcing the winners, Malloy assured the losers that more affordable units would be built.

"My heart goes out to anyone who loses," he said. "You're far more likely to win here in this lottery than in any other lottery in your life, and that makes me feel good."

"This is very significant," Malloy said. "Our population has an opportunity not only to work here but also live here."

The affordable units were made possible by an inclusionary housing ordinance passed by the Board of Representatives in 2003.

The ordinance requires developers to reserve homes for low- and moderate-income buyers or renters, or pay to have affordable housing built elsewhere.

Ten percent to 12 percent of the units in developments of more than 10 dwellings must be affordable.

Yesterday's lottery was the third held for affordable units since the ordinance was adopted.

The developers of Adams Mill River House - Seth Weinstein of Hannah Real Estate Investors, and Paxton and Ray Kinol of Stillwater Investment Management - worked with the nonprofit bank and homebuyer service organization Housing Development Fund to find qualified applicants.

More than 100 people expressed interest, said Joan Carty, president and chief executive officer of the Housing Development Fund.

Prices for the homes at Adams Mill River House range from $376,450 to $675,000 for a top-floor, three-bedroom unit. The complex will feature a concierge, fitness center, secure parking and a garden courtyard.

Seven of the 60 luxury units are affordable. Five were already assigned to buyers based on income, family size and unit size availability.

The city also dedicates a portion of property taxes and building permit fees from the largest projects to affordable housing, pays into a revolving second-mortgage program to help first-time homebuyers, and includes money for public and nonprofit housing development in the capital budget.

Weinstein called Stamford's housing policies "forward-thinking."

At the lottery drawing yesterday, Malloy announced that Norma Montavo, 59, was the winner of the first unit.

"I feel great," Montavo said. "This has been a blessing. I have not won anything in my life."

When Malloy announced that Handy was the winner of the second unit, she leaped from her chair, smiling ear to ear, and shouted, "I'm very excited!"

The third lottery winner, Nannie Dixon, will be able to take possession of a below-market-rate housing unit in The Metropolitan building on Summer Street.

Work on the loft condominium complex is expected to be completed later this year.