Hamden Food Bank Reaps Benefits From Housing Fair

The Hamden Economic Development Corporation held the first annual Hamden Housing Fair on Feb. 28th at the M.L. Keefe Center. More than 20 vendors participated and more than 100 residents attended. 

Residents were provided with important information about mortgage financing and available real estate opportunities and the town handed out home energy conservations kits. The fair was open to all Hamden residents but also marketed to residents of the Newhall and Highwood neighborhood who are affected by the remediation process.

“This was an important opportunity for the real estate community to get to know the residents and get reacquainted with the Highwood neighborhood,” said Dale Kroop, Executive Director of the Corporation.

Several public officials also attended the fair, including state Rep. Peter Villano, who was responsible for securing $5 million for homeowner's benefits, as well as Legislative Council member Oswald Brown, who has been a tireless advocate for the community.

Mayor Scott Jackson also addressed the participants of the fair.

“It is critical, not only for residents of the Newhall neighborhood, but also all residents, to have access to those resources that can help them maintain the safety, efficiency, and security of their homes," he said. "Strong communities are based on this security.”

An additional result of the Housing Fair was a donation of $700 -- 100 percent of the proceeds from the vendors -- to the Hamden Food Bank.

“We would like to thank our partners at the first Hamden Housing Fair for their generosity and participation.” Kroop said.

Financial contributions were made by Sette Real Estate, Weichert Realty, Fidelity Mortgage, Press Cuozzo Realtors, Webster Bank, Citizens Bank, TD Bank, Quinnipiac Bank, Caldwell Bankers, Prudential Real Estate, People's Bank, United Illuminating and Laberti Realty. Also participating in the fair were the Hamden Housing Authority, Neighborworks New Horizons, Neighborhood Housing Services, the Greater New Haven Loan Fund and the CT Department of Environmental Protection

For more information regarding the Housing Fair, the Newhall Remediation or the Hamden Economic Development Corporation, contact Kroop at 203-287-7033 or at dkroop@hamden.com.