Housing Stories

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“AS A PARENT OF YOUNG ADULTS, I FEEL SO BAD FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TRYING TO GET THEIR START…”

Louise and her husband live in Glastonbury and are concerned about the financial barriers facing their “hardworking and diligent” post-college age children. With the “extraordinarily high” cost of rents, it is challenging for them to pay rent and also afford health insurance, student loan payments and all of their other expenses. Although they would like to find a rental in Glastonbury where they grew up, her children are also looking elsewhere to see if they can find something less expensive. Many parents of young adult children, like Louise and her husband, are finding that they need to help with housing costs – something they weren’t planning for or contemplating. Louise also observed that there has been a “loss of starter homes” in town. 

“OUR CHURCH HOSTED SEVERAL REFUGEE FAMILIES WHO BUILT CLOSE TIES IN GLASTONBURY.”

Our congregation welcomed a Syrian family who lived for five years in a rental house in Glastonbury. The children attended Glastonbury Public Schools, and the family became close to members of the church as well as developing many other friendships. To remain in Glastonbury, the parents and their five children needed to find a rental of three or four bedrooms. Although “the parents and older children found jobs and are working hard, housing was out of reach here in town.” They had to move elsewhere “though still holding onto the dream of getting back to Glastonbury.” Rick and his church members welcomed another family from the Congo and they had a similar experience of being unable to remain in Glastonbury because of the cost of housing. He believes that Glastonbury needs more affordable options including housing for families of various sizes.

“HI GLASTONBURY FRIENDS: OUR COMMUNITY NON-PROFIT NEEDS YOUR HELP HOUSING A FAMILY!”

“Our community non-profit is working with a wonderful family (a mother, sons 12 and 7 years old, and a daughter, age 9) who would like to move from Hartford to Glastonbury. The children currently go to school in Hartford, but their mother would like them to attend Glastonbury Schools. They have a state rental assistance voucher which allows them to rent a three-bedroom unit with a maximum allowable rent of $2,618. Can you use your networks and help us find a home for them?” 

Unfortunately, despite help from a realtor and advocates in town, the search was not successful. Many federal and state housing vouchers (although difficult to obtain) ultimately go unused because housing units within the rent limits are in very short supply.

“THE HIGH COST OF HOUSING IN GLASTONBURY MAKES IT MUCH MORE CHALLENGING TO ATTRACT VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS AND EMT’S.”

A Glastonbury volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT), who has lived in town for 25 years, explained that younger people and families moving into town are a key source of future volunteers needed to fill these vital emergency service roles. However, this next generation (people who could be contributing to the community in countless ways!) is finding it very difficult to obtain housing that is affordable in Glastonbury. It was further noted that the high cost of living makes it harder for people to volunteer the time required for these crucial roles

“ALL OF THE APARTMENTS ARE SO OUT OF MY PRICE RANGE!”

Andrea is a single mother of two teenagers – one a recent graduate of Glastonbury High School. She grew up in Glastonbury, likes the town and wants to stay – it is her community. For 14 years, she has been living in a Welles Village apartment and greatly appreciates what it has offered her family. She has contributed to the neighborhood by improving her yard. Andrea works hard at two jobs in a nearby town and puts a great deal of effort into providing for her children. However, she sometimes feels that a hurtful stigma is attached to her neighborhood, and she aspires to live elsewhere in town. Andrea has been looking for another three-bedroom rental but has found her family priced out of all suitable apartments in town. She hopes to extend her stay in Welles Village while continuing to look for a home she can afford as new housing is constructed in Glastonbury.

“MY FATHER HAD TO SELL HIS GLASTONBURY HOME AND IT TOOK US A YEAR TO FIND AN ACCESSIBLE MID-PRICED RENTAL.”

Jason who grew up in Glastonbury shared the story of his 78-year-old father, Daniel, who moved to town in 1982. Over the years, Daniel and his wife owned several homes here and he would have stayed in the final one if he hadn’t had to sell it to fund care for his wife. Staying in Glastonbury was a priority for Daniel. One son lives here, the other son works in town and his wife is in long-term care here. He is comfortable and familiar with the community. Daniel was able to rent his former home from the new owners, but the cost was not sustainable, and the family spent a year looking for a ‘middle of the road’ rental. Jason explained that, in addition to price, they were focused on finding an apartment that would be suitable as his father aged and that meant no stairs or just a few. How were they able to succeed? “It was just luck,” said Jason. “I was driving through town during my workday, saw the ‘for rent’ sign and acted on it within the hour.” Clearly, family support was also crucial. 

During the time they were searching for an apartment, Jason thought about the kinds of housing that Glastonbury needs. He suggests a neighborhood of small cottage-style ranches with a bit of private outdoor space. “Those would be great for people like my dad, younger people starting out and others of any age living alone.” 

“WE ARE THRILLED: OUR CHILDREN HAVE MOVED BACK TO GLASTONBURY!”

A member of GFH spoke with two sets of parents whose adult children have recently moved back to town. One returnee is an engineer who worked in the south for 8 years and has now taken a job in the area. He was able to find housing in one of the large apartment complexes developed over the past several years. Another is a young woman who came back home from the Midwest to practice as a doctor in town. She, her husband and her young child are now living in a specially approved and well-designed subdivision built in the late 1990’s that allowed for smaller homes on smaller lots. The availability of appropriate housing for people at various life stages can make returning to Glastonbury a reality. The town benefits from residents like these who already have a commitment to the community, and their parents are delighted to have them nearby and to help them out as babysitters and pet sitters!

“OUR FAMILY HAS LIVED IN GLASTONBURY FOR GENERATIONS. MY SON HAD TO MOVE ELSEWHERE BECAUSE OF HOUSING PRICES.”

Daniel’s family has lived in Glastonbury for several generations and he speaks enthusiastically about the “great people and schools” in town. His son, Gary, grew up in Glastonbury and enjoyed his time in the school system while making many friends. Gary, his wife and two children lived in a rental house in Glastonbury but aspired to own a home with a bit more space and a second bathroom. Unfortunately, their rental house which might have been remodeled to meet their needs was not for sale. For two years, they searched for a house in Glastonbury within their budget and could find nothing. Ultimately, they purchased a home in a neighboring town where several of Gary’s friends have also moved because of Glastonbury’s housing prices. Given the experience of his son and his son’s friends, Daniel has concluded that Glastonbury needs “more standard, regular – not huge – houses” being built.  

“BUILDING AN ADU BROUGHT US THE MANY JOYS AND BENEFITS OF LIVING IN A MULTIGENERATIONAL HOME!”

A Glastonbury Friends of Housing member shared the story of building an ADU – Accessory Dwelling Unit – on the property of his daughter’s and son-in-law’s house in town. The home that he and his wife have built is about 800 square feet which is the maximum for ADU’s in Glastonbury. They are now treasuring being an active part of their grandchildren’s lives while making friends and finding opportunities to contribute to the town and their Glastonbury church community. Another advantage of the ADU is that it provides a private space while keeping family close at hand. 

The current process for building an ADU in Glastonbury requires approval of The Town Plan and Zoning Commission involving a Special Permit and a public hearing. Glastonbury Friends of Housing recommends enabling more ADU’s to be built, including detached units as appropriate, and streamlining review procedures while still ensuring that requirements are met.

A MEMBER OF GFH SPOKE WITH A GLASTONBURY DEVELOPER: 

“HE HAS SEEN A GREAT DEAL OF INTEREST IN HIS AFFORDABLE UNITS. EVERYONE ON THE WAITING LIST OR INQUIRING ABOUT THESE APARTMENTS ALREADY LIVES IN GLASTONBURY OR HAS TIES TO THIS COMMUNITY.” 

A developer was recently approved for a multifamily development in Glastonbury with a portion to be set aside as affordable. He described the rapid show of interest and applications received for the 14 affordable units. Twelve individuals or families are already on the waiting list for those apartments. Eleven currently live in Glastonbury and the 12th has strong connections to the community. The waiting list includes 4-5 people who are retired and another 4-5 near retirement (over 60) with everyone being over 45 years old. The developer has also been contacted by people whose children want to move back to Glastonbury as well as by town employees inquiring about the units. At the time of our discussion, people in those groups had not yet applied for the waiting list. 

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