Town of Farmington Affordable Housing Plan
Project Update: Final Plan
On July 12th, 2021, the Farmington Town Plan and Zoning Commission voted to adopt the Affordable Housing Plan. Please click the links below to review the final report and recommendations. Questions of comments can be sent to Kathryn Kramer, Town Planner at kramerk@farmington-ct.org.
Potential Strategies
On March 30, 2021, the Town of Farmington held a public workshop to solicit feedback on potential affordable housing strategies. If you were unable to attend the public workshop, you can still provide your feedback on potential affordable housing strategies by taking the survey below. Before taking the survey, we encourage to learn more about these strategies by reviewing the Public Workshop Presentation or by watching the workshop video below.
Background
Connecticut is an expensive place to live and the lack of housing affordability in many communities means that young people can’t afford to live in the towns where they grew up, older residents can’t afford to downsize from single-family homes to an apartment in their community, and people employed in lower paying jobs can’t afford to live where they work. To address these issues, the State of Connecticut has asked that municipalities develop an Affordable Housing Plan that meets local housing needs.
Affordable housing is an investment in the community. It can be a catalyst for better jobs, talent retention, health, wellbeing and quality of life for all residents. Recognizing that there is no "one size fits all" approach, the Town of Farmington is developing an Affordable Housing Plan to identify ways to increase the number of affordable housing units in a manner that supports community housing needs and aligns with community values.
We encourage you to scroll through this webpage and learn a little more about affordable housing in Farmington.
What is Affordable Housing?
A commonly accepted definition of affordable housing is housing that costs no more than 30% of a household’s income; therefore, affordable housing can be naturally occurring or can result from assistance. The State defines Affordable Housing as housing that costs 30% or less of household income for households making less than 80% of state or Area Median Income (AMI), whichever is lower. In Farmington, a family of four making less than $78,500 per year or an individual making less than $54,950 per year is considered low-income and could qualify for affordable housing.
Who needs affordable housing in Farmington?
Access to affordable housing is a need in every Connecticut town, including in higher income communities like Farmington. According to HUD, 2,950 households in Farmington (28% of total) are considered low-income and make less than 80% of the area median income. These households include seniors, young adults, and people who work in lower-wage jobs. About two-thirds of low-income households in Farmington are cost-burdened, meaning that they spend greater than 30% of their income on housing and may have difficulty affording other necessities such as food, transportation, and medical care.
How much affordable housing does Farmington have?
Affordable housing, as the State defines it, typically only includes protected units that are reserved for low-income households. As of 2019, 875 units, or 7.9% of Farmington’s total housing units were Protected Affordable Units. Farmington also has many naturally occurring affordable housing units. While these units may be affordable to low-income households today, they may not be affordable in the future if rents or home sale prices increase. In addition, these units are not reserved for low-income households. Low-income households have to compete with higher income households for the same units.
What does affordable housing look like?
A common myth around affordable housing is that it consists only of higher density apartments. This is not true. Affordable housing is just like any other type of housing and comes in many shapes and sizes ranging from single-family homes to duplexes and from townhomes to apartments. It can be privately owned or rented. It can house seniors, families with children, single individuals, or persons with disabilities. It can come in a range of architectural styles. Scroll down to view some examples of what affordable housing can look like.
Single-Family Homes
About half of low-income households in Farmington are homeowners, underscoring the need for affordable owner-occupied housing options. Smaller single-family homes, commonly referred to as "starter homes" are an important part of the town's housing stock and provide options for families looking to move to Farmington for the first time as well as older residents looking to downsize.
The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) has several programs that encourage home ownership for low-income families, including financing and down payment assistance available to first time home buyers throughout the state who meet certain income requirements. One of the benefits of these programs is that they allow low-income households to build equity.
Public Housing Developments
Publicly owned and operated affordable housing developments are arguably the most recognizable type of affordable housing. Many municipalities in Connecticut, including Farmington, have a Housing Authority that owns and operates housing for low-income residents, including those who are elderly and/or disabled. This housing can be provided at a range of densities or styles ranging from apartments, to duplexes, or even single-family homes.
Mixed-Income Housing Developments
Some affordable housing developments contain a mix of affordable and market-rate units. Mixed-income developments come in a range of densities and housing types, ranging from apartments, to townhomes, to single-family subdivisions. Most of these developments are privately owned and operated. Farmington is home to several mixed-income housing developments such as Heritage Glen, pictured here. A set number of units in this development are reserved for low-income households who meet certain income requirements.
Senior Housing
Farmington has a large and growing senior population. Senior households are more likely to struggle with housing costs due to their limited incomes. In addition, many seniors also have ambulatory difficulties that require special living arrangements. Senior housing can be owner-occupied or rented and can range from single-family homes to apartments. Age restriction is the only characteristic that sets this apart from other types of affordable housing.
Accessory Dwelling Units
Accessory dwelling units, sometimes referred to as "in-law apartments," are small dwellings that are on the same property as a regular single-family home. These can be attached to the main home, or built as a separate building in the backyard, depending on local regulations. Accessory dwelling units can provide affordable housing options for residents or family members and can also provide the homeowner with an additional income stream, which can reduce overall housing costs.
Private Rental Housing
Many low-income families rent private units and receive housing assistance through the federal Tenant Based Rental Assistance program. Rental units that are at or below "fair market rent" may be eligible for this program. In Farmington, the fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,760 per month. Eligible low-income households are required to pay 30 percent of their household income towards rent, while subsidies cover the remaining costs. Private rental housing comes in a range of styles including single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, and apartments.
Project Documents
Please click the link below to review the March 30, 2021 Public Workshop presentation. This presentation provides information on:
- Project Background
- Housing Needs Assessment
- Community Survey Results
