Falls Village Housing Trust Inc.

Vision & Mission

Our Vision

The Vision of the Falls Village Housing Trust Inc. is to ensure affordable housing opportunities exist for all community members by expanding options for seniors, disabled individuals, young adults and working families who want to live in the town of Falls Village, Canaan, CT.

The Trust is committed to maintaining the rural character and aesthetic charm of Falls Village.

Our Mission

The Mission of the Falls Village Housing Trust Inc. is to provide individuals and families (who meet the income qualifications) with ownership, rental or rent-to-own housing. The Housing Trust will utilize public and private financing programs to achieve these housing goals.

About

The FVHT is a 501c3 nonprofit charitable organization with the mission of providing affordable housing in the Town of Canaan (Falls Village). In order to ensure the required experience and expertise, FHVT has selected Paul B. Bailey Architect and Housing Enterprises, Inc., Civil 1 Engineering and Housing Enterprises as the project architect, engineer and housing consultant, respectively.

The first project of the Falls Village Housing Trust, Inc. (FVHT) is a 16-unit affordable rental housing development that will be all new construction with high energy efficiency and a focus on sustainability. This project has received Department Of Housing (DOH) Predevelopment Loan funding. The project is being designed to comply with CHFA/DOH requirements and complies with the requirement of the Falls Village Incentive Housing Zone (IHZ) Zoning Regulations.

Because of the rural location in Falls Village, the project is being designed with on-site water and septic. We received Planning and Zoning approvals in September 2020, and the project is applying for full funding.

A range of unit sizes and Area Median Income (AMI) limits will provide the widest housing opportunities within this project. Some units will be fully handi-capable accessible.

Paul B. Bailey Architect and River Road Homes is the WINNER of the 2021 HOBI Award for “Best Multi-Family Design".

Affordable housing is in great need in Falls Village, which at present only has 1.28% affordable housing units as per the 2019 Affordable Housing Appeals List. Lack of affordable housing has been directly associated with a reduction of younger people in a community. Falls Village has one of the highest median ages in Litchfield County. According to the Partnership for Strong Communities www.pschousing.org, the 65+ year of age group is expected to increase by 67% over the next 10 years if we don’t implement a correction.

17 Miner St/21 Prospect St

The FVHT received two State grants to purchase and renovate two houses (five rental units) to operate as affordable workforce housing. The renovations of the apartments began in the Fall of 2024 and will be done by the end of this year. One unit will be ADA accessible. If we are able to raise additional funds, we can upgrade the heating systems and thereby lower the rents for our tenants.