FAIRFIELD – Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County broke ground on four new affordable homes on Quincy Street in the Town of Fairfield on Saturday, May 30.
Despite the blustery weather, there was a good turnout of Town of Fairfield officials, community leaders, volunteers, supporters, and Habitat CFC homeowners.
The project marks Habitat CFC’s second affordable homeownership development in Fairfield, building on the successful completion of four Habitat homes on Greenfield Street in 2025. The homes are being developed through a partnership between Habitat CFC and the Town of Fairfield, which is providing the land through a no-cost, 75-year renewable ground lease.
Bruce Jackson, Habitat CFC’s board chair, welcomed attendees and reflected on the significance of the groundbreaking.
“The groundbreaking is far more than putting a shovel in the ground,” Jackson said. “It’s the beginning of a journey. Today, this is just going to be a small hole. Soon, it’ll become a basement. The basement will grow into a house. But then, more importantly, that house will become a home for a family. And that home will grow into a neighborhood.”
Jackson thanked the many individuals and organizations whose years of planning and collaboration made the project possible, including Town of Fairfield officials, Habitat staff, volunteers, donors, and board members.
Representing the Town of Fairfield, Selectperson Marcy Spolyar emphasized the importance of affordable housing and the positive impact the homes will have for future homeowners and the community.
“Affordable housing is very important to us here in Fairfield,” Spolyar said. “Our community is a welcoming one for people of all backgrounds and income levels. A diverse town is a vibrant tow. These four additional Habitat homes symbolize strong foundations for stability and create opportunities for families that may not be possible otherwise. The benefits go far beyond the walls of any one home.”
Spolyar also recognized the contributions of Habitat CFC staff and volunteers, the Town of Fairfield’s Affordable Housing Committee, and others.
Mark Barnhart, the town’s director of Community & Economic Development, noted that the project represents a long time in planning and collaboration.
“This has been about 20 years in the making,” Barnhart said. “I really want to thank all the elected leadership across many administrations that provided unwavering support for this project, as well as the Affordable Housing Committee. The Habitat team, Bruce Jackson, Habitat CFC Board Chairman; Kevin Moore, Habitat CFC COO; the rest of the crew here, has been an amazing partner.”
Urb Leimkuhler, Fairfield Affordable Housing Committee chair, spoke about the continuing need for affordable homeownership opportunities in Fairfield, where only a small percentage of the town’s housing stock is considered affordable.
“We on the Affordable Housing Committee are dedicated to expanding the range of housing options throughout Fairfield,” said Leimkuhler. “Working together toward a common objective, we can accomplish tremendous things.”
Construction on the Quincy Street homes will begin this year. Once completed, the development will provide four local families in need of affordable housing with the opportunity to own homes in the Town of Fairfield.
Since its inception in 1985, Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County has built 300 homes across Bridgeport, Fairfield, Stamford, and Stratford, helping more than 1,220 family members achieve the strength, stability and independence that homeownership provides.
