New Homes to be Built

Partnering with Habitat for Humanity, the City of Hartford, and the Carpenters Union, Co-Opportunity, Inc. will use $700,000 in YouthBuild program funding to train 64 youth and construct four new houses in the Hartford area. Once constructed, the houses will be turned over to low-income first-time homebuyers.

On February 10, HUD Regional Director Taylor Caswell joined Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez in awarding the grant to Co-Opportunity, Inc. “The YouthBuild program serves a population that needs a bridge between youth and adulthood,” said Caswell. “It is a win-win since the participants learn high-demand skills while producing affordable homes in their own communities.”

YouthBuild grants are awarded competitively to give young people ages 16-24 who never finished high school a second chance to receive their diplomas. The grants help train young people for a future in the construction trades while producing or rehabilitating homes for lower income families, many facing homelessness.

Over a nine-year period, Co-opportunity, Inc. has helped 302 people graduate from the program while constructing 34 new housing units and rehabilitating 57 units. Visit HUD’s website to learn more about the YouthBuild program.