DELAURO, BLUMENTHAL PRAISE GRANT FOR TOWER ONE/ TOWER EAST ASSISTED LIVING IMPROVEMENTS

New Haven, CT — Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro and Senator Richard Blumenthal praised the award of a $2,855,069 grant to the New Haven Jewish Federation Housing Corporation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Assisted Living Conversion Program.

These funds, part of more than of $23.7 million in grants announced by the Obama Administration, will be used to convert 14 units in the Tower One/Tower East housing development from elderly units into assisted living units. These conversions will enable elderly residents to remain in the environments they are comfortable in while still receiving the support and the care they need. Additional renovations will also be made to update to the kitchen, laundry areas, and improve accessibility throughout the building.

As the winner of multiple Best Practice Awards from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Connecticut Assisted Living Association, the New Haven Jewish Federation Housing Corporation has received several previous grants to assist in similar unit conversions.

"For more than 40 years, Tower One/Tower East and the New Haven Jewish Federation Housing Corporation have provided the elderly residents of New Haven with excellent care and community-based assistance. I believe that we owe a debt of thanks to those who have raised us, and our parents and grandparents should be able to enjoy their golden years in comfort," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "These funds will enable the facility to provide its residents with even more options and enable them to live independently."

Blumenthal said, "This critical funding ensures that the elderly residents of Tower East will continue to live independently in a familiar and affordable location. I commend the New Haven Jewish Federation Housing Corporation for demonstrating the need for these essential renovations as well as its commitment to improving the lives of Tower East's residents."

Rich Slutsky, President & CEO, stated that he is "very excited that Tower East was the recipient of a limited number of Assisted Living Facility Conversion grants that were awarded on a national basis by the U. S. Housing and Urban Development Department." He further commented that "the grant will fund the conversion of 14 Independent living apartments into accessible units, allowing residents to age in place and avoid transfers to more costly health care alternatives. In addition, there will be multiple laundry facilities making washers and dryers more accessible to residents as well as some ground floor improvements including upgrades in both resident activity areas and Dining Services."