Creating Stability in the Dixwell Neighborhood

Nonprofit Beulah Land Development Corporation Builds Affordable Housing

Beulah Land Development Corp. CEO Darrell Brooks at the future site of 69 “deeply-affordable” apartments. Photo: Judy Sirota Rosenthal

Amid a building boom of market rate housing in New Haven and rising concerns about gentrification, Beulah Land Development Corporation is creating a portfolio of affordable housing options in the historically Black Dixwell neighborhood.

The nonprofit developer, a recipient of a $135,000 grant from The Community Foundation in July 2022, is constructing 69 “deeply affordable” apartments on Joe Grate Corner that will be rented to people with low incomes.

Beulah also owns a building for low-income seniors and constructs and rehabs single and multifamily homes for families to purchase with assistance so they can build equity. “They will pay less for their mortgage than they would in rent,” says Beulah CEO Darrell Brooks. “This block was a hub. It was anchored by homeowners and that gave the neighborhood stability, which we are bringing back.” Beulah hires local minority contractors and businesses for all phases of the construction and managing the properties, including landscaping, housekeeping and other services.

This story appears in the No. 3, 2022 edition of Connections, The Community Foundation's newsletter. Subscribe to the newsletter here.