Funding and tools to build affordable housing

The State of Connecticut provides financial assistance and property tools to help organizations build, renovate, and manage low-cost housing.

Notice for residents: These programs are only for housing developers, non-profits, and town offices. They are not for people looking for a place to live. If you are a renter or homeowner looking for personal aid, please return to our support for residents page.


The development engagement process�ore reviewing these programs, please note that the Department of Housing (DOH) and Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) identifies, then pairs eligible projects with funding through one intake window.

How it works: The DOH opens this window twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring. This gives our team a chance to review potential affordable housing projects.
What it unlocks: In consultation with CHFA, DOH uses this process to distribute State and federal subsidies to selected projects. This process taps into a total Statewide housing budget of $550 million, which includes roughly $14 million in federal HUD funds. Individual project awards are subject to per-unit and per-development funding caps to ensure resources are shared across the State.
Contact: Kurt Schoen-Rene, Economic and Community Development Agent
Phone: 860-270-8173
Email: doh-develengage@ct.gov.


Core housing development grants and loans
Use these primary State and federal funding tracks to back your next affordable housing build or renovation project.

Affordable Housing Program (AHP, also known as FLEX)
This is the State's main flexible funding tool. It provides direct grants, loans, and deferred loans to help builders buy, build, or repair affordable housing developments.
View Affordable Housing Program (FLEX) guidelines


HOME Investment Partnerships
This is a federal block grant program that awards loans and grants to states and local towns. The funds must be used by certified organizations and developers to create affordable housing that directly benefits low-income families.
View HOME Investment Partnership requirements

Housing Trust Fund
This State-funded program is managed directly by the Department of Housing (DOH). It provides low-interest financing to build or preserve affordable housing units for low-and moderate-income households.𠊌heck Housing Trust Fund details


HUD multifamily housing programs
This federal program provides mortgage insurance through approved lenders to help groups build, repair, or refinance large rental properties. The program also funds building updates to improve energy efficiency, lower utility bills, and protect buildings from bad weather, making housing safer for low-income families and seniors.
View HUD multifamily housing resources




Middle-income home development initiatives
These programs provide financing to build housing for middle-income families.

Build for CT
Connecticut’s dedicated middle-housing program, which is run by CHFA. Qualified financial institutions provide lower-interest loans to developers who build affordable housing for residents making between 60% and 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI). 

Contact Info: Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA)
Vincent Bergin, Senior Business Development Officer
Phone: 860-571-4382
Email: vincent.bergin@chfa.org

View Build for CT program details (PDF)


CT Homes (Homeownership Initiative)
CT Homes provides funding to smaller developers or smaller-scale projects (between 1 and 10 units) to create homes. This initiative serves households earning between 80% and 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
𠊌ontact info: Capital for Change
Kristen Fusco, Director, Consumer Lending Department
Phone: 860-761-1627
Email: KFusco@capitalforchange.org


Contact Info: Housing Development Fund
Phone: 203-969-1830
Email: info@hdfconnects.org


Learn more about Capital for Change



Housing tax credits and equity tools
Use these tax credit programs to attract private investors and local businesses to help fund your non-profit housing build.

Federal low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) program
The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) awards federal tax credits to developers who build or completely renovate low-cost rental housing. Developers can swap these credits for cash equity from private investors to fund their construction costs.
More about the LIHTC program
State housing tax credit contribution (HTCC) program
This State program awards up to $10 million in tax credits each year to non-profit developers building housing for very low-to-moderate-income residents. Local businesses buy these credits, giving your non-profit immediate cash to build while reducing their own State tax bills.
View state housing tax credit contribution rates


Closed or historic development programs

Land Bank and Land Trust grants
This program provides non-profits and housing cooperatives with grants and deferred loans. This money helps cover the upfront costs of buying, holding, and managing parcels of land until they can be officially developed into low-cost family housing.
Learn more about Land Bank and Land Trust programs

Section 8 New Construction/Substantial Rehabilitation (Section 8 NC/SR)
This historic program provides project-based federal rent assistance to 21 specific housing developments across Connecticut to help low-income families afford rent.

Note: The federal government has not approved a new project under this track since 1983. This page is for informational track and contract management for the 21 existing historic sites only.
View Section 8 project data


State-Sponsored Housing Portfolio
Historically provided competitive funding to eligible sponsors for major capital improvements and upgrades to diversify housing stock serving up to 80% AMI. This page remains active for tracking and ongoing contract management for existing properties only.
Check State-Sponsored Housing Portfolio guidelines


Need a different program?
If this resource does not match what you are looking for, you can browse our full directory of State, federal, and municipal housing tools.
View all housing programs in CT