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“We wanted to provide more affordable housing for women and children, and were impressed we could accomplish so much by leveraging our giving.”
Charlotte and John Suhler of Darien went from being charitable donors to hands-on philanthropists after reading a 1999 research study by the Foundation’s Fund for Women and Girls.
“The study showed that the most outstanding need for women in Fairfield County was housing,” Charlotte said. “It really hadn’t been discussed that much as a need before.”
Today, Charlotte plays a central role with the Foundation, 19 other private funders, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and Fairfield County nonprofit affordable housing developers to bring safe and affordable housing to families.
As a progression of their involvement with the Fund for Women and Girls, Charlotte and John were founding members of the Fairfield County Collaborative Fund for Affordable Housing, initiated by the Foundation in 2005.
Grants from the fund provide operating support to nonprofit affordable housing developers, such as New Neighborhoods Inc., so they can focus on buying land and building new, affordable units. The Collaborative Fund is managed by LISC.
To date, Fairfield County nonprofit developers have 1,000 affordable housing units in the pipeline and manage 1,083 existing units.
“It’s a way a relatively small amount of money can make a difference,” Charlotte said. “If someone has $5,000 to give, and they are concerned about the issue, they can donate to the Collaborative Fund and have an impact.”
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“Our old apartment was not safe, but now our new home is so beautiful. ”
Until last spring, Ana Rodriguez and her seven-year-old daughter Genesis had to tiptoe through a housemate’s bedroom to get to the one they shared. Street noise, cockroaches and bedbugs made their sleeping fitful.
Ana, a single mother who immigrated from Honduras 10 years ago, couldn’t afford anything better than the rundown rental unit in Stamford.
“Just a one-bedroom apartment is very expensive–$1,200 or more,” she said.
But a chance at a new life came when New Neighborhoods Inc., a nonprofit affordable housing developer in Stamford, bought the building where they lived, with plans to tear it down and build new, affordable housing.
New Neighborhoods relocated tenants to other affordable housing it owns in Stamford. Ana, who’s worked as a hotel housekeeper for eight years, was moved to a newly renovated apartment. Her rent is now 30% of her salary, which is the government definition for affordable housing.
Sitting in her spotless living room, Ana still can’t believe the change in her life. She no longer worries about her daughter’s safety at home. Genesis plays at a playground on the property and attends a good school nearby.
“Last week, my daughter was running around the apartment,” Ana said. “She ran over to the window, leaned out and yelled, ‘I’m happy! I’m happy!’” |
