Malta House proposes to expand services
Nonprofit has applied to take over a former convent on West Rocks Road
NORWALK — Malta House Inc, a nonprofit home for expectant mothers with nowhere else to go, is looking to expand its services at a new location in the city.
The nonprofit has applied to the city’s Zoning Commission to take over the former convent home on the All Saints School site on West Rocks Road, which was also previously used as a daycare.
“The proposal before you by way of special permit and text amendment, is to allow Malta House to relocate its operation from Prowitt Street where it exists today, into this facility,” Attorney Liz Suchy, who was representing the nonprofit told the commission on Wednesday. “Malta House has existed at Prowitt Street for approximately 20 years and it offers a safe haven for women — expectant mothers who for one reason or the other find themselves in a position that they have nowhere else to go while they're expecting.”
Since it opened its doors in 1998, about 300 women have received residential support and care through their services, according to Malta House’s records.
In February, Malta House
board chair Kim Petrone said in a letter that the organization was working with the Diocese of Bridgeport to secure the space.
“We are close to concluding and announcing a long-term arrangement with the Diocese of Bridgeport to lease a larger and more functional building in Norwalk,” the letter read. “This will require a strong local executive and continued cultivation of the relationships with the community and agencies who can partner with us in providing services to our mothers and babies.”
Suchy said that the conversations began because the nonprofit realized it needed more room to help more women.
“The population needs more space,” she said. “It's a population that is underserved and in discussions with the Diocese, this particular property, this particular structure, came to everyone's attention.”
The building itself would remain intact, with most of the work taking place inside to renovate it to today’s standards, architect Frank Chapman said.
“Our intent is when we're all finished with what we want to do it will look exactly like it looks now,” he said. “The big work we're doing, the major amount of work we're doing is basically making the building a 2019 building — air conditioning, alarm systems, sprinkler system.”
The housing would be dormitory style with about 15 rooms for mothers in need, as well as offices, counseling space, room for gathering and a kitchen, Chapman said. It would also be ADA-compliant, with about three rooms specifically designed to be handicap accessible.
Neighbors surrounding the property were notified through certified mail earlier this month, Suchy said. There will be a review by the Planning Commission on Tuesday and then a public hearing at the Zoning Commission’s June meeting, before a vote is taken.