NORWICH – The City of Norwich conducts the first of two required public hearings tonight regarding the Norwich Housing Authority’s Brown Avenue Housing Project.

The housing authority has been working to secure the details of the senior housing project for more than eight years, and after receiving bids for the construction of the six duplex structures for the third time, has decided to accept a bid, but will be looking for other funding sources in order to keep the final cost of the homes to a minimum.

The City of Norwich has agreed to collaborate with the Norwich Housing Authority in order to apply for a Small Cities Grant that could help reduce the final purchase price of the structures, which will cost approximately $283,300 per duplex, or $141,650 per unit to build. Since the homes are intended to serve low to moderate income seniors with an annual income of $29,500 for a single person, or $33,700 for couples, without additional funding sources, the costs of the homes will be too high for the intended purpose.

City of Norwich Planning and Community Development Specialist Todd Dreyer sent out a notice on Monday, encouraging individuals to voice their support for the housing project.