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Outline of Need:
Putnam Baptist Homes, a nonprofit group from Connecticut, had a vision for a multi-family housing project in 1976 that would provide senior citizens --on a fixed-income -- access to safe, affordable housing.
How Rural Development Helped:
Since that time in 1976, USDA Rural Development has worked with Putnam Baptist to provide more than $1.6 million to build Little River Acres, a 90-unit senior housing complex located in Putnam, Connecticut.
The most recent funding package, a $1 million multi-family housing loan in 1999, saw USDA Rural Development joining hands with the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development to start the construction of 24 new units of housing. On January 25, 2001, Rural Development and officials from the State of Connecticut held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of those 24 units and saw a new wave of elderly residents move into the apartment-style facilities. In addition to the funds for construction, almost 70 residents are receiving rental assistance from Rural Development.
The Results:
In Connecticut, the trend in senior housing is moving away from typical hospital room-type small spaces that offer curtains as their only luxury and moving toward apartment style units equipped with all of the amenities of home.
Elderly residents, like Joanne Cassettari-who moved into one of the new units at Little River Acres-was able to bring her own furniture. As she sat on her four-poster bed in her newly constructed third floor unit she told local reporters, "There's plenty of room to move around but the apartment is not so big that I can't handle it by myself." The units offer a sense of independence while at the same time offering comfort, safety and security. "I just love it," she said.
In addition to the spacious and well-decorated living quarters that Little River Acres provides its residents, it also provides seniors a solution to feeling lonely and isolated. There is a community building complete with both a fireplace and kitchen. Residents can enjoy conversation, card playing and the cozy, peaceful comforts of home all within walking distance to Putnam's downtown area.
Through the help of a successful collaboration between USDA Rural Development and the State of Connecticut's Housing for the Elderly grant, Little River Acres has become a home to 90 seniors who now have the chance to live out their lives in Connecticut's peaceful "quiet corner."
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