Developer Expanded Workforce Housing in Connecticut

Workforce Partners has secured approvals for 500 new residential units aimed at middle-income families across the state.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Employment

Isometric editorial illustration of a modern, modular multi-family residential building complex surrounded by geometric landscaping and paved walkways. — Workforce Partners has secured approvals for 500 new residential units in Connecticut to expand housing options for middle-income working families. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you support prioritizing new workforce housing developments over the concerns of current local residents?

Developer Ed Gormbley has moved to address the need for working-class housing by securing approvals for 500 units in Connecticut. His firm, Workforce Partners, focuses on providing quality living spaces for families earning 80% to 120% of the area median income.

Why it matters

The development targets a critical gap in the housing market for working-class families who often struggle to find price points that align with their income. By leveraging scale and property redevelopment, the firm seeks to provide sustainable options in high-demand communities.

Workforce Partners is moving forward with 500 new units across Norwalk, Wilton, and Fairfield, including a large-scale redevelopment of the Circle Hotel featuring 250 apartments and 110 hotel rooms.

The players

Ed Gormbley

He is the founder of Workforce Partners and holds an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Workforce Partners

This Connecticut-based real estate firm employs 30 people and specializes in renovating properties for middle-income residents.

The details

The firm redevelops diverse property types, such as hotels and carriage houses, into apartments to maximize efficiency and maintain lower cost structures. Projects include townhouses at 19½ Clinton Ave., which are expected to command monthly rents of $4,500.

Workforce Partners was founded 16 years ago.
Ed Gormbley filed a lawsuit against GE in 2010.
Five townhouses on Clinton Ave. are scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.

Macro View

This development strategy reflects a broader trend of private firms attempting to fill the gap left by the nationwide shortage of workforce housing for households earning 80% to 120% of area median income. These efforts contrast with historical cycles where such housing was largely facilitated by municipal housing authorities.

Residents in Norwalk, Wilton, and Fairfield may see increased housing inventory as these 500 units reach completion. Middle-income families should monitor these developments for potential rental opportunities that align with their specific income brackets.

The takeaway

Developers are increasingly utilizing existing infrastructure like hotels and carriage houses to navigate rising construction costs. This approach provides a blueprint for how smaller firms can expand residential supply without relying solely on new ground-up construction.