Housing Division

Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)

The Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) supports the City's goal of fostering homeownership opportunities and the rehabilitation and construction of multi-family rental properties. 

HOME provides funding to eligible property owners, for-profit and non-profit agencies, and Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO) for rehab or construction of quality affordable housing. HOME funding must benefit low-income and very low-income households. Since the HOME program’s inception in 1992, over 2000 housing units have been created or improved.

The Housing Division finances amounts not to exceed 20% of a project’s total costs. In addition to underwriting parameters, approved funding levels will be determined by the HOME funds availability. Applicants should demonstrate their ability to leverage other private or public sources of financing. All HOME-assisted units are subject to annual Housing Quality Inspections, ensuring the maintenance of safe, sanitary and quality housing units citywide.

Featured HOME Project - The HUB

The HUB on PARK is a 45-unit, mixed-income housing development sponsored by Mutual Housing Association of Greater Hartford, Inc. (MHAGH) in the Frog Hollow neighborhood. The HUB is an exciting new transit-oriented development (TOD) project located at the intersection of Park Street and Park Terrace, directly across from Pope Park, and within one-half mile of the Parkville CTfastrak station.

This project includes demolition and combining of two parcels on which the 36 new units will be built. An additional three properties at 26 York, 30 York, and 34 York have existing three-family historic buildings that will be gut rehabbed. Click on the photo for more progress photos!

Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Program

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations allow communities that are participating in the Housing Choice Voucher Program, to allocate up to 20% of their tenant-based vouchers for Project–Based Assistance. Project-Based Vouchers (PBVs), allow rental subsidies to be attached to specific units. When tenants of the units move, the rental subsidies remain with the unit. PBV's may be used for:

• Geographic distribution of affordable housing; to promote de-concentration of poverty and affirmatively further fair housing objectives 
• New construction of workforce and mixed-income housing
• Housing for special-needs populations that provides corresponding supportive services
• Rehabilitation of existing rental units that are dilapidated, unsafe, or unsanitary

If you are a developer or multifamily property owner, please contact Imagineers for more information regarding our Project-Based Voucher Program. The application and award process for Project Based Vouchers is based on funding availability.

Learn more about Competitive and Non-competitive RFPs for PBVs

Review the RFP Announcement and Instructions

Review the RFP Proposal Application Package

Tax Abatement 

A tax abatement agreement is a contract between the City of Hartford and the owner of a rental property that fixes taxes on an annual basis at a rate less than the full tax amount. Tax abatement can be used with residential properties that is occupied solely by low or moderate-income persons or families. The housing may be newly created, or existing.

Typically, the term of the abatement is ten (10) years and may be renewed by the contracted property with City approval after a minimum of a one-year lapse between abatements, in which case the owner is expected to pay full tax.

Abatements can be used for one or more of the following purposes:

• To reduce rents below the levels that would otherwise have been in place in the absence of such tax abatement.
• To improve the quality and design of the housing.
• To affect occupancy of such housing by persons/families of varying low/moderate income levels.
• To provide necessary related facilities/services in such housing.

Housing Preservation Loan Fund (HPLF)

The Housing Preservation Loan Fund (HPLF) Program has been a vital resource to Hartford residents for home improvement for more than 25 years. HPLF offers affordable loans to homeowners to make needed repairs and improvements to their properties.

Through HPLF the City provides financing for the preservation of Hartford's housing stock and the revitalization of its neighborhoods. The program is designed to help low-income and moderate-income households fix-up their properties, and support efforts to beautify and improve neighborhoods. The program is funded by Community Development Block Grants from the federal government. HPLF's low-interest rates range from 0% to 4% depending upon each applicant's income level. In order to qualify for an HPLF loan you must be income-eligible according to federal guidelines.

There are no application fees nor up-front costs associated when submitting an application.

Senior Homeowner Rehabilitation Program

UPDATE: Due to an overwhelming response to the program, the Housing Division will no longer be accepting new applications at this time. Please contact Lorie Mclean at 860-757-9022 or Lorie.Mclean@hartford.gov if you have any questions or concerns.

Mayor Luke Bronin has approved and funded the creation of the Senior Homeowner Rehabilitation Program.  The program is designed to maintain the condition of existing housing stock, preserve home values, protect the generational wealth of our seniors and their families and allow our seniors to age in the place with dignity safely and securely.  The program provides a forgivable loan of up to $10,000 to owner-occupants of 1-4 residential units.  The loan converts into a grant after a three-year forgiveness period, as long as property is the primary residence of the applicant, and is then fully forgiven.

Eligible repairs include:

• Handicapped accessible ramp
• Siding
• Stairs
• Porches and decks
• Roofs
• Gutters
• Chimneys repairs
• Hand railing
• Walkway
• Windows
• Driveway
• Security systems

Any cost over $10,000 in City assistance will be at the owner’s expense.

Final approval for the grant is based on the availability of funds.

Lead Safety and Remediation Resources

Additional Home Repair Resources

HouseHartford Home Buyer Assistance Program

The HouseHartford Homebuyer Assistance Program was created by the City of Hartford, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Fannie Mae. HouseHartford offers low and moderate-income home buyers down payment assistance for one- to four-family homes. The City partners with local and national banks, real estate attorneys, and home buyer counseling agencies to administer this program.

Funds can be used by low-income homebuyers within city limits. New homeowners must maintain the property as their primary residence. HouseHartford promotes livable and sustainable neighborhoods, and makes the dream of homeownership attainable for many families who may not otherwise qualify for a mortgage. Since inception, the program has assisted more than 1,300 families attain the dream of homeownership.

Employee Homebuyer Assistance Program

To help promote homeownership in Hartford, and specifically homeownership by City and/or Hartford Board of Education employees, the City of Hartford has introduced a first-of-its kind program for employees seeking to purchase a home in the city.  The City of Hartford’s Employee Homebuyer Assistance Program (EHAP) provides no-interest forgivable loans to cover the cost of purchasing a home, including the downpayment, closing costs, repairs after the closing, moving expenses, appliances, etc. The program is designed to help our hardworking city employees affordably LIVE where they currently WORK and PLAY.

Additional Homeownership Resources

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) is a federally run  voucher program which offers rent subsidies to households who meet the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) eligibility guidelines. The City strategically issues its vouchers to incentivize the creation of housing units, support the improvement of existing units, encourage residents to seek out areas of opportunity, and to help end homelessness. Owners and landlords who participate in the City's HCV Program are required to meet annual Housing Quality Standards to ensure that units meet health and safety requirements.

The Housing Choice Voucher waiting list is currently open for households who meet the Chronically Homeless Preference. In order to qualify for this preference, pre-applicants must be able to verify that they meet the definition of either:

• An individual or family who has been staying in an emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation for a year continuously or on 4 occasions in the last 3 years that total 12 months and has a diagnosable disability as defined by HUD and they are referred by Journey Home on behalf of the Greater Hartford Coordinated Access Network, a consortium of over 20 different homeless service agencies; OR
• A tenant in good standing enrolled in a Permanent Supportive Housing program in the Greater Hartford Region who no longer requires intense supportive services. ONLY households meeting this preference will be eligible to apply at this time. 

A MESSAGE FROM JOURNEY HOME TO MAYOR LUKE BRONIN AND THE CITY'S PRESENT AND FUTURE COMMITMENT TO ENDING HOMELESSNESS:

"On behalf of the Greater Hartford Coordinated Access Network (GH CAN) we would like to personally thank you, and the City of Hartford, for your incredible support of our efforts to end homelessness in the Capital Region. The creation of the homeless preferences within the City’s Housing Choice Voucher portfolio has played such a critical role in our region, and the state’s, reduction in homelessness over the last few years. Just over 200 households have leased up under these preferences in under three years. This has greatly helped to increase turnover in the programs designated for those experiencing homelessness, and has provided the only opportunity at housing for some of our larger homeless families". Matt Morgan, Journey HOME - May 2019

In 2016, the City of Hartford formed a partnership with Journey Home, Inc. to assist with the administration of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program as related to preferences recently created for homeless individuals and families. Journey Home, Inc. is a non-profit organization created to lead the effort to end homelessness in the Capitol Region of Connecticut. The City has purposed a portion of its Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers to house approximately 200 homeless families and individuals from 2016 to date, representing a near two-million-dollar investment – by far the most aggressive voucher funds expenditure by a municipality in support of Journey Home’s efforts.

Additionally, the City will continue to demonstrate its commitment to the fight to end homelessness by committing up to 10% of its total Section 8 voucher allocation to the cause over a 3-5 year period – resulting in total city investment of approximately $4 Million.

Homelessness Resources

Fair Housing 

Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, Fair Housing Act, as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents of legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and the handicapped (disabled).

Discrimination in Housing Sales or Rental

No one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or handicap:

discrimination in mortgage lending

No one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or handicap (disability):

• Refuse to make you a mortgage loan;
• Refuse to provide you with information regarding loans;
• Impose upon you different terms or conditions on a loan, such as different interest rates, points, or fees;
• Discriminate in appraising property;
• Refuse to purchase a loan; or
• Set different terms or conditions for purchasing a loan.

It is also illegal for anyone to:

What additional rights do I have if I am disabled?

Your landlord may not:

For More Information:

Fair Rent Commission 

HOW TO DETERMINE EXCESSIVE RENTAL CHARGES

The law lists 13 Factors to be considered:

1. The rents charged for similar apartments in the City or neighborhood.
2. The health and safety conditions in your apartment.
3. Whether your apartment complies with the Hartford housing code and State statutes relating to your health and safety.
4. The repairs needed to make your apartment livable.
5. The size/ number of bedrooms in your apartment.
6. The number of bathtubs or showers, toilets and sinks in your apartment.
7. Services (such as utilities, furniture, furnishings and equipment) supplied by the landlord.
8. The amount of taxes and other expenses of the landlord.
9. Your income and whether there are other apartments you can afford.
10. What utilities you have in the unit, and whether you or your landlord pays for them.
11. Damages, other than wear and tear, which you caused to the apartment.
12. How much your landlord has raised your rent in the past.
13. How much of the rent increase will be used to improve the apartment and building. 

(JPG, 2MB)

(JPG, 3MB)

(JPG, 564KB)

(JPG, 683KB)

(JPG, 3MB)

(JPG, 4MB)

(JPG, 8MB)

Click the map to view the team's accomplishments from 2009-2018:

(PDF, 9MB)

FOR A GENERAL HOUSING INQUIRY

Interested in learning more about the programs and resources offered by the Housing Division? Fill out the form below and a member of the Housing staff will get in touch with you.

Submit a General Housing Inquiry