Mayor Bill Finch helps cut the ribbon at the newly-renovated home at 135 Garden Drive.
For more photos, go to Mayor Finch's Facebook page.
BRIDGEPORT, CT – On July 25, at noon, Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust (BNT) will host a ribbon cutting event at a newly-renovated home located at 135 Garden Drive. This property is one of three recently donated to BNT by Bank of America. The other locations include 165 Barnum Avenue in Bridgeport, 100 Shelton Avenue in Shelton, and 83 Trolly Crossing in Middletown, CT. The donation will help to expand BNT’s affordable homeownership initiative and comprehensive homeownership counseling program, which serves families earning less than 80 percent of area median income in Bridgeport.
The home is a beautiful single-family structure in Bridgeport’s North End. This renovated three-bedroom, two-bathroom home features exceptional exterior masonry, a fireplace, an upgraded eat-in kitchen, a remodeled double-sink bathroom with a stand-up shower, and new plumbing and heating units. The lower level features a recreation room with separate entrance, full bathroom, laundry, storage and garage.
“This property is perfect for a young couple starting their family” said Elizabeth Torres, executive director, BNT. “We would not have been able to provide this opportunity to a low-income family without the support of Bank of America.”
“Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust plays a vital role in providing local families with affordable housing opportunities,” said Bill Tommins, Southern Connecticut market president for Bank of America. “Through this home donation and others like it, we are working together to strengthen Bridgeport’s neighborhoods and the surrounding areas.”
The renovations and subsequent sale of these properties will cross many milestones –stabilizing neighborhoods by addressing once foreclosed properties, and providing affordable homeownership opportunities and counseling services for low income families to achieve and maintain first time homeownership. The proceeds from the sale will support a fund at BNT to continue to provide this service.
About Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust:
BNT’s mission is to LEAD, EMPOWER and CHANGE Bridgeport neighborhoods, improving quality of life through affordable housing opportunities. To meet this challenge, BNT develops and manages affordable housing, creates healthy homes with a focus on lead remediation and provides comprehensive homeownership for low and moderate income families.
BNT was incorporated in 1986 and provides an array of services in the Bridgeport community. Over the past eight years, BNT’s results include the development of 95 new scattered site affordable housing units (61 are under management). Currently it has an additional 34 units in construction. With regards to its programs, BNT has created 700 lead-safe apartments and helped 457 families achieve homeownership during this time period.