Why did Hartford Habitat expand into Tolland County and other FAQs:
- Why did Hartford Habitat change its name Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut?
With our service territory expansion, we needed a name that appropriately reflected our connection to Hartford and Tolland counties as well as a regional approach; we will take going forward. We feel that Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut (HFHNCC) achieves those objectives and accurately reflects our grassroots base in north central Connecticut.
- What does your expansion mean for activities in Hartford and Tolland County? Will you be relocating your offices?
We are dedicated to serving both counties and are looking to grow our staff to appropriately support our programs and initiatives in these communities.
For Hartford County, we have several home building and renovation projects lined up for 2022 including a ‘Build with Strength’ concrete home, the historic renovation of 315 Capitol Avenue, and four Zero Energy Ready homes in Windsor.
For Tolland County, we are focused on getting the Vernon ReStore operational, introducing ourselves to the community, establishing partnerships, and broadening the scope of our services to be a resource for community members. We have not dedicated any resources to initiating building projects within Tolland County at this time.
Our primary office will remain in Hartford. We will have an office space and dedicated resources for Tolland County operating out of the Vernon ReStore, which is located at 369 Talcottville Road in Vernon.
- What was the reasoning behind the expansion – and why now?
It’s been proven through our decades of home building and community work that individuals and families thrive when they have a home in a safe and stable community. With the housing affordability crisis continuing to touch every area of our society, Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut saw the opportunity and need to expand our footprint and services to include Tolland County. Our expansion allows us the opportunity to serve more families and to ensure that affordable homeownership is available throughout the state of Connecticut.
- How does the ReStore in Vernon fit into the organization’s plan?
Habitat ReStores are home improvement and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials, and appliances to the public at a fraction of their retail price. Many who shop our store are new homeowners, DIY’ers, and those looking for great deals or unique finds. The store provides one way for the community to get acquainted with HFHNCC and our services. It will serve as our resource hub in Tolland County, and will eventually help fund homeownership programs in the area. The Bloomfield ReStore has sponsored a number of blighted properties in Hartford County.
- What are HFHNCC’s vision and future goals?
Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut’s vision, in alignment with Habitat for Humanity International, is for a world where everyone has a decent place to live. To accomplish this, HFHNCC is looking to move beyond being a home builder only as we are also an equity builder and neighborhood revitalization partner. Our goal is to have our communities within which we work, and organizations with whom we partner see Habitat as a necessary partner in a community-based, family-centered, catalytic economic strategy.
