New Haven Approved Affordable Apartments on Lombard Street

The City Plan Commission approved an eight-unit housing project to replace a long-vacant commercial site.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Commercial

New Haven Approved Affordable Apartments on Lombard Street

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Should your local government prioritize converting vacant lots into new affordable housing units?

The New Haven City Plan Commission unanimously approved plans to develop eight affordable apartments at 83 Lombard Street. The city will sell the site to the Douglas Allen Investment Group LLC for $55,000 to facilitate the project.

Why it matters

This project aims to revitalize a vacant property that has sat unused since 2009. The development adds new affordable housing inventory for residents earning up to 80 percent of the area median income.

The 0.17-acre site will host eight units reserved for tenants earning up to 80 percent of the area median income, or $79,700 for a family of two. The city is selling the property to the developer for $55,000.

The players

City Plan Commission

This body is responsible for reviewing and approving site plans and zoning developments in New Haven.

Douglas Allen Investment Group LLC

This Milford-based developer is the firm tasked with constructing the new affordable apartment complex.

Board of Zoning Appeals

This municipal board manages exceptions to zoning regulations and previously authorized density relief for this site.

The details

The developer, Douglas Allen Investment Group LLC, plans to incorporate a portion of an existing concrete foundation into the new construction. The Board of Zoning Appeals previously granted the project necessary density and side-yard relief.

The People's Laundromat was destroyed by fire in 2009.
The City Plan Commission approved the site plan on September 16, 2026.
Construction is expected to begin within 30 days of September 16, 2026.
The building process is projected to last six to nine months.

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Roadmap

This project follows the broader trend of converting underutilized urban land into necessary residential density. It mirrors city-wide efforts to maximize existing footprints in established neighborhoods rather than seeking new land.

Residents seeking housing will gain access to eight affordable units in the Fair Haven neighborhood once construction concludes. The removal of the long-vacant, fire-damaged site also eliminates a neighborhood eyesore.

The takeaway

Developing small-scale affordable housing on vacant lots is a common method for cities to increase inventory without major rezoning. Residents in the area should monitor the site for the beginning of construction within the next month.