First UMC Stamford Continues Its Legacy of Support for Affordable Housing in our Community

Stamford Cross Road Residences (SCRR) has served Seniors and the Mobility-Impaired since 1989

In 1989 Stamford Cross Road Residences (SCRR) became home to several residents in need. Stamford Cross Road Residences (SCRR) is located at 6 Cross Road, Stamford adjacent to our First United Methodist Church property. It provides 24 units of affordable housing for elderly or mobility-impaired people. The units are designed to facilitate independent living. A Resident Service Coordinator (social worker) is also available to assist residents with finding resources to help maintain their quality of life.

The opening of SCRR was the culmination of a vision and hard work by many First UMC members and others. SCRR is built on land that was owned by First United Methodist Church. It was sold to SCRR, Inc. (the non-profit corporation that owns SCRR) at a substantially below market rate. Without that provision of land, the project would not have gone forward.

Most of the original Board of Directors who supported the project were FUMC members. They invested time and energy to plan and fundraise, and their leadership was critical for the project’s completion and for securing funding from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the City of Stamford.

The relationship between SCRR and FUMC continues today: four of the current 8 Directors are church members, some church members are residents, our UMW and Missions Committee have given financial support to SCRR, and there have been many Christmas caroling visits over the years.

David Martin Apartments on the former site of the UMC Springdale completed in 2023.

In the fall of 2016 the former UMC Springdale on Hope Street in Stamford agreed to merge with First UMC. After several years of earnest effort to re-establish ministry in this 2nd campus location, the Board of Trustees decided to pursue the option to sell the property.

A local 2nd generation developer was found who agreed to purchase the property and build an affordable housing project. This project was appealing to First UMC because it would allow us to continue the legacy of supporting affordable housing started with SCRR. Additionally, the developer agreed to preserve the 1954 Sanctuary building, steeple, and streetscape.

This project was envisioned to be a 17 unit, mix of 2- & 3-bedroom rental units, with 100% of the apartments kept at affordable rents for 50 years. In the spring of 2021, with the blessing of the members and the Council of First UMC the property was sold to Garden Homes Management. In September 2023 a ribbon cutting was held for this project and the first residents moved into their new homes in October.