Litchfield County 2025 Impact Report
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Introduction
In 2024, the Litchfield County Center for Housing Opportunity made significant strides in addressing housing affordability and advancing housing solutions across Litchfield County. Through shared project management services, seed funding, regional collaboration, and community engagement, LCCHO strengthened local capacity to expand affordable housing opportunities and empower residents.
This year’s efforts have been particularly critical as demand for affordable housing continues to grow, economic pressures increase, and barriers to housing access persist. By aligning resources, fostering partnerships, and elevating data-driven strategies, LCCHO played a key role in supporting local nonprofit housing development and building community support for solutions that work.
LCCHO is driving long-term systems change by strengthening regional housing infrastructure, aligning municipalities and local non-profits around shared data and strategies, and fostering a more coordinated, strategic approach to housing development in Litchfield County.
By The Numbers: Measurable Impact
Tracking Progress, Driving Results, and Expanding Housing Opportunities
- 15 local volunteer-led local housing non-profits provided with capacity building resources
- 18 affordable housing developments received active project management support
- 295 affordable housing units in development in 13 towns
- $189,000 in pre-development seed funding committed to support 7 developments.
- $2.3 million awarded by the CT Department of Housing to support the Litchfield County Affordable Homeownership Program; another $2.1 million in construction loan funding for this project accessed through Capital for Change.
- $2.8 million in state funding and $1.2 million in private grant funding awarded to local non-profits to construct/renovate rental housing in 2024.
Highlights
Bridging Affordable Housing & Environmental Conservation
LCCHO and the Litchfield Hills Greenprint Collaborative, an initiative sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Association, brought the region’s local and regional land trust organizations together with local housing organizations and town leaders to create the Northwest CT Affordable Housing and Conservation Collaboration Strategy and is now working to implement these strategies together with participants. This work was supported by grant funding from Foundation for Community Health and Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
Assessing Regional Housing Needs
LCCHO published a comprehensive Litchfield County Housing Needs Assessment tool in partnership with Regional Plan Association and with support from JP Morgan Chase & Co. The web-based tool provides data and analysis on housing, demographic, and economic trends for every town in Litchfield County as well as for the County as whole. The tool has helped to inform discussions around housing needs and solutions across the region.
Building Affordable Homeownership Opportunities
LCCHO is coordinating a new program to build 10 scattered site affordable homes in five towns. This program is designed to address the severe shortage of affordable “starter homes” for first time homebuyers and also help local housing non-profits access funding to construct the homes. A modular home construction process is being utilized for nine of the ten homes, saving time and streamlining the process.
Testimonials
“LCCHO has been tremendously helpful in moving things forward in Kent. Kent Affordable Housing, like most housing organizations in Litchfield County, is composed entirely of volunteers. Having LCCHO’s professional guidance, perspective, and financial assistance has been invaluable.”
“LCCHO is a top notch initiative and essential to creating more affordable housing in Cornwall. We would not have been able to accomplish any of what we’ve done in the past few years without them. They are exquisite professionals who exemplify dedication to affordable housing. They are consistently available, extremely responsive and provide valuable ongoing education as well as communication with other housing groups in our area.”
“LCCHO has been absolutely essential to our successes to date. They have given us access to state affordable housing decision-makers, helped us land multimillion-dollar government grants, provided us with direct initial financial assistance, and lent structure and support to our operations every step of the way. They know how to move projects forward, get them funded, and make allies of municipal governments and neighbors. They are professional and effective, and they really, really care!”
“We at Falls Village Housing Trust are very fortunate to have the support and assistance of LCCHO. In addition to your guidance, access to LCCHO’s seed funding has been essential in helping us move our projects forward.”
Conclusion: Working Together for Housing Solutions
LCCHO’s progress in 2024 reflects the power of collaboration and shared commitment to ensuring that everyone in Litchfield County has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. As we move forward, we look to partners like you—municipal leaders, housing advocates, service providers, and community members—to continue working together with us to advance policy solutions, build community support, and drive meaningful change. Together, we can strengthen regional efforts, break down barriers, and create a future where housing opportunity is a reality for all.
In Partnership with
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Fairfield County’s Community Foundation
As a nonprofit partner and thought leader since 1992, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation brings together passionate people and trusted resources to solve our region’s challenges through innovative, collaborative solutions. Together, our goal is to close the opportunity gap in Fairfield County by eliminating disparities in income, education, employment, housing and health.
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LISC Connecticut
Since coming to Connecticut in 1984, LISC has invested more than $94 million in grants and loans. LISC works in cities including Bridgeport, Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, and Waterbury, helping local organizations develop affordable housing and create partnerships that strengthen neighborhoods by enhancing resident quality of life, expanding economic opportunity, and closing racial wealth, health, and opportunity gaps.
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Partnership for Strong Communities
Partnership for Strong Communities promotes equitable change in Connecticut housing policy by coordinating advocacy, advancing research, and uniting diverse partners.
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Regional Plan Association
Regional Plan Association (RPA) is an independent non-profit civic organization that develops and promotes ideas to improve the economic health, environmental resiliency, and quality of life of the New York metropolitan area. RPA conducts research on the environment, land use, and good governance, and advises cities, communities, and public agencies.
You know what needs to change. We can help you make it happen.
The Center for Housing Opportunity convenes a vast partner network of engaged residents and organizations to work towards a better housing future in Connecticut. Join our efforts to preserve, produce, and protect housing that is affordable for all.