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STAMFORD, Conn. Having a job after graduating from college does not mean young professionals are leaving home, and often they dont have many housing choices, said Timothy Beeble, Stamfords community development director.
Theyre forced to live with their parents even with a job, Beeble said of recent college graduates. Or they end up sharing with friends.
Developers in Stamford such as Randy Salvatore are trying to offer affordable housing to young professionals and others in need. Salvatore said not many recent college graduates in the past had sought housing in Stamford. But with the addition of jobs and nightlife in the city, the need has grown.
People dont have a reason to leave Stamford, said Salvatore, founder of RMS Construction. Young professionals are now seeking to stay or move to the city, he said.
Beeble said several places have been opened that offer affordable housing and said another should begin accepting rental applications soon.
The city of Stamford requires all developments with more than 10 units to offer a minimum of 10 percent of the units at affordable prices either for rental or for sale, Beeble said. Affordable means people who make less than 50 percent of the median income should be able to afford to live there, he said. Median income is about $127,000 a year, he said.
Once all of the results of the 2010 census are released, the city will have a better idea of Stamford's affordability, Beeble said. He said the city has a general idea of the population, but the census information will be much more accurate.
The term affordable is relevant to people and places, Salvatore said. He compared Stamford to Manhattan, where residences are much more expensive, whereas housing in Iowa is lower in price than Stamford.
If people cant afford it, then they wont be renting, Salvatore said of Stamfords housing prices.
Contact reporter Anthony Buzzeo by e-mailing tbuzzeo@TheDailyStamford.com.
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