Desegregating Connecticut is good for all of us
Across our state, residents marched to declare that Black Lives Matter. Part of our commitment to that is trying to recognize the policies that may seem innocuous but have broader implications on racial equity in our society. One such policy is zoning. While it might often feel like a small but important local issue, its implications are far reaching beyond a town’s borders. As someone who grew up in New Canaan, it was easy to miss the impacts our zoning codes might be having — in particular, on the limitations it was placing on where multifamily and affordable housing can be constructed.
As state Rep. Doug Dubitsky pointed out during Monday’s Planning and Development Committee hearing, “I can’t move to Greenwich because I can’t make enough money. (It) has nothing to do with the color of my skin, it has to do with my job, has to do with my lifestyle, has to do with my history, it has to do with my upbringing, it has to do with my family.”
He’s partially right. Where people can live has everything to do with their history, the opportunities they had access to growing up, the inter-generational wealth their family was able to build through access to jobs, access to quality education and more. But when all of those things were impacted by systemic racism, not being able to live somewhere has everything to do with the color of your skin.
White residents’ median income is $84,000 a year. For Black residents, it’s $43,000 a year. No one debates that is the direct result of systemic racism, or that multifamily and affordable housing are critical to providing economic and social mobility. No one debates that there are not enough housing opportunities in our state for the people who need them.
Zoning has historically been used alongside racially restrictive covenants and redlining to keep people separated. When it comes to zoning, many of the policies enacted for that purpose are still on the books today, as are the unintended implications of preventing multifamily or affordable housing within a town’s borders. As mayor of New Haven, I see that in my own city’s neighborhoods. In New Haven, we have worked for years and will continue to undo many of the policies that limit housing opportunities. The Desegregate CT bill that’s currently before the state Legislature would go a long way to helping us achieve that, and create more housing opportunities for families in every corner of our state.
We have a responsibility to one another no matter what town we live in. I grew up in New Canaan, and I know the people there are decent, thoughtful and care about righting the wrongs of our history and of today. I am confident that is true throughout our state — that people really want to do the right thing particularly in trying to break down the structures that lead to systemic racism. Zoning reform is a critical part of that, because it will deconstruct the walls of segregation, which is both the right thing to do and will make all our communities better.
It is good for everyone if kids grow up seeing and meeting people who don’t look like them. New Haven is made better by the diversity and vibrancy of our people and every town ought to experience that. I urge all residents of our state in joining me to fight for more housing for the people who need it in every corner of Connecticut so we can make this a state where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.