Bridgeport, CT – Recently, Mayor Ganim, Park City Communities (PCC), and The Housing Collective were honored to welcome senior leadership from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) during a recent visit to the housing authority to discuss the agency’s recovery, ongoing redevelopment efforts, and its partnership with Connecticut’s Homeless Response System.

HUD’s newly appointed Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Ben Hobbs; Deputy Assistant Secretary for Field Operations, Felicia Gaither; and Field Office Director for the Hartford region, Jennifer Gottlieb, met with PCC leadership to review the progress made at the agency. The group engaged in strategic discussions around future redevelopment initiatives, resident self-sufficiency programs, and the strength of Bridgeport partnerships.

Mayor Ganim praised the significance of the visit, stating, “It underscores the continued commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities. HUD’s investment in the Bridgeport Housing Authority is vital to ensuring that our redevelopment efforts benefit all residents and move us toward providing more vibrant, stable neighborhoods. Sustained federal support ensures that cities can continue addressing housing insecurity while building vibrant communities where all residents have the opportunity to thrive.”

The visit offered a valuable opportunity for HUD officials and PCC to explore both the successes and challenges the agency faces in modernizing its housing portfolio. Discussions focused on the benefits of policy streamlining and regulatory flexibilities, the use of emerging technologies to improve service delivery and operational efficiency, and the long-term vision for revitalizing PCC’s communities.

Jillian Baldwin, Chief Executive Officer of Park City Communities, reflected on the engagement, saying, “We are grateful to HUD leadership for taking the time to meet with our team and see firsthand the strides we are making. These conversations are essential to shaping an effective path forward—especially as we look to scale up our redevelopment efforts, better serve our communities, and increase opportunities for our residents to achieve self-sufficiency.” 

The importance of collaboration across systems was also a key topic of discussion. David Rich, CEO of The Housing Collective, emphasized the value of interagency alignment, stating, “The partnership between Park City Communities and the homeless response system is vital to ensuring that every individual and family has a pathway to stable, permanent housing. By aligning our efforts and resources, we are better positioned to close gaps in housing access, prevent homelessness before it starts, and create long-term solutions that prioritize dignity, equity, and opportunity for all residents.” 

Bridgeport was the first housing authority selected by Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Ben Hobbs, to visit since his appointment; underscoring the agency’s impact and the progress being made locally towards redevelopment.