Eversource hands out $1.36M to nonprofits
3 local businesses part of nearly $10.5 million given across state
New London — An Eversource representative dropped by City Hall on Friday morning to present checks totaling $1.36 million to three local nonprofits, part of nearly $10.5 million that Eversource is donating across Connecticut.
Legislative Manager Thomas Dorsey likes traveling the state to present checks at this time of year, “so everybody has a nice little stocking stuffer of $500,000.”
The contributions, which support 25 projects statewide, are being made through the Housing Tax Credit Contribution Program, which the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority administers.
CHFA annually allocates state tax credits to nonprofits developing low- and moderate-income housing; businesses then can buy the credits and apply them to their corporate tax. Eversource is the leading purchaser of tax credits.
Dorsey said Eversource has contributed “well over $250 million” in the 18 years it has been supporting the program. This year, the utility is donating $10,454,568 across the state.
The $1.36 million for local nonprofits includes $500,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut, $460,000 for Eastern Connecticut Housing Opportunities and $400,000 for HOPE Inc.
“New London is a key community for us, as you well know, [with] what may come down in the future,” Dorsey said, referring to port investment and wind development.
Habitat is using the money to construct two duplexes and two single-family homes for the second phase of its development in the Greeneville section of Norwich. Eversource gifted $170,000 last year to help fund the first phase.
Geoffrey Taylor, director of resource development for Habitat, said each house is energy-efficient and usually one story, “so our families can age in place.”
ECHO is using its money to renovate three houses in New London, which will be sold to low-income, first-time buyers.
Vice President Julie Savin said the Department of Housing initially funded ECHO to do 22 homes but the program has been going so well that ECHO decided to keep going and do three more. She said it is yet to be determined which three houses will be renovated.
HOPE Inc. will use its $400,000 to construct a two-family house on a vacant lot on Belden Street in New London. This will be the 19th house HOPE has built or renovated in the neighborhood with the help of Eversource and the city.
Marilyn Graham, executive director of HOPE, presented a plaque to Dorsey naming Eversource an Affordable Housing Champion.
Dorsey was in New Haven — which isn’t even in Eversource’s service territory, he said — for a check presentation on Wednesday, and he was leaving New London City Hall on Friday to go to Willimantic, New Britain and Waterbury.
“Santa has got to get in his sleigh,” he joked on his way out.