Have you ever driven through the center of Granby and seen the large sign that says Stony Hill Village? The sign stands between the Brignole, Bush and Lewis offices and the Small World Learning and Childcare Center at 259 Salmon Brook Street. Many of us have driven by for years and thought it was an apartment complex. It is much more than that. Granby residents might not realize that Stony Hill Village is an important community asset that provides a safe, supportive and affordable living environment for seniors and persons with disabilities.
Stony Hill Village was built in the 1970s and 1980s by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Assistance Program. It was originally built for seniors (62+) but now includes persons with disabilities. It consists of 49 one-story units, each with a small backyard. There is also a community center where tenants gather and socialize.
The complex is owned by Granby Homes for Senior Citizens, Inc. (GHSC), a local 501c(3) non-profit. Its mission is to provide safe, affordable housing with dignity and a sense of community for seniors and persons with disabilities and to foster a more diverse and inclusive community. Granby is fortunate to have this important housing complex that assists a growing aging population, many of whom have limited incomes. Appropriate affordable housing provides better health and safety outcomes for aging and disabled persons and helps provide economic stability, allowing people to spend more of their income on healthcare and food.
Stony Hill Village residents are either income-eligible at 62 years of age or older, or 18 years of age with disabilities. GHSC is a USDA supported residential community. Currently, 40 of the 49 units are rented to senior or disabled residents through the Rural Assistance program, which subsidizes up to 70 percent of the rental cost. This is wonderful for the seniors and others who qualify to live there but does not provide enough income to keep up repairs and other services for this complex. GHSC’s goal is to maintain this property in a manner that we would want for our parents and other family members.
GHSC has a committed board of directors with plans to continue to improve the grounds, facilities and social services to the residents of Stony Hill Village. The community support provided to Stony Hill Village is so important, and we hope that you will want to learn more. If you would like to tour the property or have questions, please send an email to stonyhillgranby@gmail.com
If you would like to make a donation to Granby Homes for Senior Citizens, Inc., it would be greatly appreciated. You can go to granbyhomesforseniors.org and click on the link under the Donate tab; or if you prefer you can mail a donation to Granby Homes for Senior Citizens, Inc., 259 Salmon Brook Street-SHV1, Granby, CT 06035. Also, look for an article in the Drummer in April about the Community Serve Day on Saturday, May 3. You can volunteer to help the tenants move furniture, do yard work, plant flowers, etc.