KENT—Kent has routinely been touted by regional magazines as one of New England’s most attractive communities for rural living. But look beyond the bustling streets, the boutiques, cafes and cultural events, and a grimmer picture emerges.
The town’s very success has brought desperation to some long-term residents who struggle to stay in their homes or, in some instances, are forced out of them. “We definitely know there is a need in Kent—and in Connecticut in general,” said Social Services Director Samantha Hasenflue. “I have an average of three or four people a month looking for housing help. There is nothing out there for people on a low, fixed family income. Finding housing for them is not going to happen.”
Indeed, online real estate sites reveal that only one apartment is currently for rent in Kent, a one bedroom, one bathroom, with 1,250 square feet that is listed at $1,695. A modestly larger house renting for $1,795 recently went on the market, but the remaining local rentals soar up to $37,000 a month.
Even affordable housing units—of which Kent has 61—do not come cheap. Using the formula provided by the federal government rents for one person earning $62,240 (80 percent of Litchfield County’s median income) it would be $1,606 a month for a studio apartment.
“At 80 percent of the median income, a three-person household making $81,000 a year is still not making enough,” Hasenflue said. “They would be looking at a rent of more than $2,000 a month. I love affordable housing, but it doesn’t always equate to affordable. I’ve seen rents upwards of $3,000—I don’t know who can afford it.”
She said there are currently five homeless persons in Kent, which she classifies as persons with no permanent address. “They may be sleeping in their cars or couch surfing,” she said. “These are residents of Kent, the majority are on fixed incomes, usually older. That’s the population here. That is the scariest thing—we’re not just talking about 20-year-olds who can’t find a rent, but older people who have had homes. There is constant fear. All it takes is for one person to sell and your lease is not renewed. Or the rent goes up and there is no place to go.”
She said more affordable housing might be found in Torrington or Waterbury, but the residents are reluctant to leave. “If they are residents of Kent, it’s not something they want to do. They hang on as long as they can.”
Justin Potter, president of Kent Affordable Housing, said there are currently 128 households in Kent that pay 50 percent or more of their income toward the cost of housing. “That is a huge challenge,” Potter said. The recommended percentage to be dedicated toward housing costs—including utilities, insurance and the like—is 30 percent.
“There are so many young adults living with their parents and I don’t know that they even show up in the statistics,” Potter added.
The cost of housing, which throughout the state is 24 percent higher than the rest of the country, is echoed in other economic stressors. The cost of living in Connecticut is 13 percent higher than the national average. Groceries, clothing and entertainment are all 9 percent higher than in other states.
“These are things people can’t control,” said Hasenflue. She reports that 52 households, amounting to about 105 individuals, use the food bank each month. Ten of these households have three or more people living in them, with the majority having at least one child younger than 18. She said she knows of 13 or 14 children who are food insecure.
During the summer food insecurity increases because the children are not fed at school. Camilla’s Cupboard in New Milford can help to alleviate the problem, but Hasenflue notes parents must drive there to get food. She said she has considered having mini pantries set up around town for whoever needs food. She suggests this could help hikers who come off the Appalachian Trail and sometimes seek food. “We can’t really help them because we have so much demand from residents,” she said.
Hasenflue has a sign in her office, announcing, “We are not in the same boat, we are in the same storm.” She finds truth in it. “Just about everyone is vulnerable,” she said, even those fully employed. She cited one man living in neighboring New Milford, her hometown. “He worked full time, but was living in his car,” she reported. “Every morning, he would go to Starbuck’s to clean up and then go to work.”
Even those with jobs supplement their incomes with visits to the food bank. “It’s very hard to keep the shelves stocked with the number of people coming through,” she said. “We limit the number of bags of food people can take and the number of frozen foods because we can’t keep up. We’re doing our best to meet the needs of clients.”
Because most of the users are seniors, she tries to stock single-serving portions. The food bank also makes deliveries because many of its clients have no transportation or are working during opening hours. “We find out what they want and make up a bag.”
“The food bank is near and dear to my heart,” said Hasenflue. “Until you experience having to use it, you don’t know what a lifeline it is. The clients come and shop for themselves. We don’t make up bags for them because we want them to feel as confident and independent as possible.”
The food bank is funded through the Kent Community Fund, which provides its access to shop at Connecticut Foodshare, private donations, and TEFAP, a federal nutrition program that supplements the diets of low-income Americans by providing food at no cost.
This year, State Trooper Vickie Donohoe is spearheading the Back to School collection for families who need help purchasing school supplies. “What we really need are lunchboxes or backpacks and gift cards for clothes,” Hasenflue said.
