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4 NEW ENGLAND CONDOMINIUM -JUNE 2022 NEWENGLANDCONDO.COM Industry Pulse Events Spotlight on Communication Empowering Women—Understand- ing Your Audience and the Importance of Using Your Own Voice, sponsored by the Connecticut Chapter of Com- munity Associations Institute (CAI-CT) will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8, at Hawk Ridge Win- ery in Watertown, Connecticut. Erica Pilicy Ryan, Esq. and Kelly Freitas, Esq. will lead the discussion. To register, visit www.caict.org. CT Golf Tourney The Connecticut Chapter of Com- munity Associations Institute (CAI-CT) will hold its 23rd annual Golf Tourna- ment on Thursday, June 23, at the Lyman Orchards Golf Club in Middlefield. The four-person scramble tournament in- cludes breakfast, lunch, prizes, and more. Visit www.caict.org for details. Industry News CAI Lauds SAFER Proposal In a news release, the Community As- sociations Institute (CAI) applauds U.S. Representatives Charlie Crist (D-Fla.) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) for introducing the Securing Access to Financing for Exterior Repairs (SAFER) in Condos Act, described as “legislation that will make it easier for condominium owners to afford special assessments for structural and safety repairs.” Owners would be able to obtain low-interest loans to fund repairs through two programs guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “Since the tragic condominium col- lapse in Surfside, Florida, CAI has worked closely with state and federal lawmakers to introduce critical legisla- tion that supports condominium safety for the millions of people who call these communities home,” says Thomas M. Skiba, CAE, CAI’s chief executive officer. “We are pleased that Reps. Crist and Wasserman Shultz have introduced this impactful legislation that helps us honor the memories of the 98 people who lost their lives last June and will help prevent another tragedy. We’re hopeful that the bill moves forward expeditiously.” According to the Foundation for Com- munity Association Research (FCAR), more than 74 million Americans live and work in community associations. “Since the June 24 collapse of Champlain Tow- ers South condominium, CAI has been working on behalf of our 43,000 mem- bers with local, state, and federal law- makers as well as housing stakeholders nationwide to develop common sense initiatives for condominium safety. In October, after months of research and input from members, CAI recommended changes to laws and best practices for the community association housing model that may help both communities and legislators better address building safety, building maintenance and structural in- tegrity, and reserve studies and funding,” according to the release. The research and recommendations can be found in CAI’s Condominium Safety Public Policy Report. In the wake of the Surfside catastro- phe, Crist noted, residents remain fo- cused on safety and structural integrity of their condominiums and an increas- ing number of owners are facing unaf- fordable special assessments. “When as- sociations have to make critical repairs to keep residents safe, the special as- sessments that fund the repairs can be a significant financial burden, especially for seniors on fixed incomes and work- ing Floridians,” says Rep. Crist. “Our bill, the SAFER in Condos Act, would build on a home improvement program under the Federal Housing Administration to provide an affordable financing option so seniors and families can stay in their condo safely and avoid another prevent- able disaster.” “While we still mourn all those we lost in Surfside, the harsh reality is that untold numbers of aging condos just like Champlain Towers South may face simi- lar structural safety problems… This leg- islation that Congressman Charlie Crist is leading will take meaningful steps to help prevent that from ever happening again by helping make it easier for con- do owners to afford special assessments when costly structural and safety repairs arise,” says Rep. Wasserman Shultz. Law & Legislation CT Creates Mortgage Program Last month, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced the launch of MyHomeCT, a new state program de- signed to provide mortgages to home- owners who have experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandem- ic. The program is funded by $123 mil- lion that the Connecticut Department of Housing received from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, and is ad- ministered by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority. “The public health crisis we have expe- rienced over the last two years has had a significant impact on the ability of many homeowners to pay for the cost of their housing, which is why we are dedicat- ing this funding to providing the much- needed support,” Lamont said. “Thanks to the American Rescue Planning Act and the support of our congressional del- egation, MyHomeCT will alleviate some of the financial burden that homeowners have faced during this pandemic and will help ensure that their housing situation remains stable.” The program provides support to homeowners who have had difficulty meeting their mortgage obligations or other housing expenses due to a CO- VID-19 related financial distress. For homeowners who meet the eligibility re- quirements, this assistance may include bringing mortgage payments up to date or making future mortgage repayments. Assistance is also available for other re- lated housing expenses, including, but not limited to, non-deposited property taxes, condominium and homeowners association fees, non-deposited home- owners insurance, and municipal tax liens. Homeowners can apply for up to $30,000 in grant support, and payments will be made directly to the mortgage lender or debtor. To be eligible, an applicant must reside in Connecticut and occupy the property as their primary residence. The applicant must also have experienced a COVID-19 related economic adversity after January 21, 2020, or experienced an economic adversity before that date, which was subsequently exacerbated by the pan- demic. The property must be an owner- occupied, one-to-four-unit house, con- dominium, townhouse, or manufactured residence. A complete list of eligibility criteria and program parameters can be found at www.chfa.org/MyHomeCT. Maine Launches COVID Aid Fund Maine has launched a $50 million Homeowner Assistance Fund to help those at risk of losing their homes due to financial hardships created by the CO- VID-19 pandemic. Gov. Janet Mills announced the plan in early May, saying, “The pandemic has been hard for a lot of Maine people, stretching wallets thinner and forcing hardworking folks to reach deeper in their pockets to make ends meet.” Simi- lar plans have also been established in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Mas- sachusetts. The Homeowner Assistance Fund is intended to help those who could lose their homes because of missed mortgage payments, high utility bills, or unpaid property taxes. Funding comes from the federal government’s response to the pandemic, the American Rescue Plan, which was passed in early 2021. The plan will offer up to $25,000 in total benefits per household. With mort- gage assistance, it’s only available once other foreclosure mitigation options have been exhausted and is capped at $25,000. Up to $15,000 is available to help with unpaid property taxes and up to $10,000 for utility payments; homeowners must be at risk of losing their homes or having utilities cut off before they can get help from the plan. Applicants must be able to show a direct link between the pandemic and their financial problems, circum- stances such as reduced hours or layoffs due to COVID-19. State officials said 400 people had ap- plications into the fund on its first day in operation and another 2,000 people had asked to be notified once the program was in place so they could apply for help. Real Estate & Development Luxury Condos on Tap in Westport, CT Sales are underway at The Mill West- port, a planned luxury condominium complex being developed at a renovated timber mill in Westport, Connecticut, according to a report on ctinsider.com. The 31 units will be the first new con- dos developed in Westport in several years, town officials said. Prices run from just under $1 million to $3.85 million for the one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. Completion is expected in early 2023. Shared spaces will include a great room, cafe, patio, rooftop deck, hot tub, dog park, pool, and a health and wellness center, along with concierge service. “With exquisite architectural design and contemporary aesthetics, The Mill Westport will be a cut above in luxury design,” according to Joe Feinleib, princi- pal of Coastal Luxury Homes, one of the companies involved in the project. “Vast amenity spaces and turn-key living of- fer a unique residential experience in the heart of Westport.” Developer Eyes Maine Condos Seeing a growing demand for housing and shortage of homes on the market, a Bangor developer is looking to build 36 PULSE continued on page 14