Billings Forge Apartments

Billings Forge Apartments is a 113-unit mixed-income apartment complex located in the Frog Hollow neighborhood of Hartford, CT. The previous owner, the Melville Charitable Trust, wanted to divest of the property and capture the value of this asset so it could use the proceeds to further its broader mission – while continuing its affiliation with the property. POAH was able to devise a creative structure which met all of these needs and entered into a partnership to leverage public and private investment for capital improvements at the site which was constructed as a tool plant in 1864.

In 2017, POAH completed more than $9 million of property upgrades – including new windows, kitchens and baths, elevator, upgraded life safety systems, and common-area improvements. The renovations to the main mill building were executed according to historic preservation requirements that honor the history of the building.

The property includes community gardens, a playground, meeting spaces and an on-site farmers market that promotes healthy eating, sustainable agriculture and local food within an urban environment. Billings Forge received a Composting Grant from the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to support its sustainability efforts.

In 2017 in partnership with Compass Working Capital, POAH launched a new Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program to complement and leverage the activities already offered by nonprofit Billings Forge Community Works. The FSS program enables Billings Forge residents to achieve economic security by increasing their earned income, building savings and working towards personal and financial goals.

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