Affordable housing can be a reality
Connecticut is dealing with an eviction crisis, exclusionary zoning, and a shortage of affordable housing. All of these factors have contributed to an increase in the homeless population, which is in danger of exploding due to the rising cost of living. No one deserves to be kicked out of their home and struggle to survive especially when they are trying to provide for others, including children.
This situation is dire in our state. According to Princeton University, Connecticut had more than 20,600 evictions cases in the last year, which is a 5% increase compared to an average pre-pandemic year. Another troubling trend is that all housing, regardless of the neighborhood, is overpriced. With a median home sales price of $240,000, Waterbury is the “most affordable” place to buy a home in the state. With real estate out of control, Waterbury is in the top five of eviction rates in Connecticut. Once tenants are evicted, the road to fighting the case in court and finding new housing only becomes more daunting. CT Data Collaborative found that only 4% of renters in Waterbury, who had an eviction case filed against them, had a lawyer to represent them.
While this issue is predominant
in Waterbury, it affects the entire state since homeless populations exist in every city and town in Connecticut, regardless of the level of affluence. Homelessness lives where you do.
Our state government has the means and authority to address this issue by investing in affordable housing development. There are several priorities we should tackle including a comprehensive approach to zoning and planning policy, updating current regulatory housing code for low-income tenants, and supporting an expansion of just cause eviction legislation which would provide more protections for tenants.
It is no secret there are roadblocks to making this a reality because many suburbs and rural sections of Connecticut push back on building affordable homes. As of last year, three dozen communities had not submitted their affordable housing plans even though there is a law in place requiring that data. At the same time, some other municipalities that have sent in a plan have yet to act on affordable housing projects.
Clearly, if the major players either don’t have a roadmap or don’t follow it, there is no desire to take a proactive approach toward making affordable housing happen. Woodbridge, a suburb of New Haven, submitted its plan, but the town prohibits multifamily housing of three units or more on most of its residential area. Recently, the towns of Simsbury and Newington rejected housing projects that would have included some affordable housing while other towns claim affordable units will devalue their own properties.
In compliance with the state, larger cities like Waterbury continue to equitably share the burden of building more affordable homes in inner cities. Many of these opportunities to comply with state directives come from the remediation of brownfield sites. I’m proud of Waterbury’s work and commitment to housing developments, led by former Mayor Neil O’Leary, Gov. Ned Lamont, Connecticut Housing Commissioner Seila MosqueraBruno, and so many others, but it is time for other towns to join in.
Affordable housing is also necessary to spreading out our population into towns and municipalities that have more available space. The idea sounds simple, but it’s quite complicated. Increased population calls for more infrastructure, road maintenance, public transportation, jobs, food centers, shelters, and zoning compliance changes.
The establishment of affordable housing initiatives not only addresses the pressing need for accommodations but also fosters sustainable urban development. By facilitating the dispersion of populations into suburbs and beyond, these initiatives alleviate strain on densely populated urban centers, mitigating issues like overcrowding and environmental degradation. In addition, the availability of affordable housing in suburban and rural regions encourages economic growth by attracting businesses and industries, which will stimulate local job markets and promote balanced regional growth.
The implementation of affordable housing programs requires meticulous planning and collaboration from various stakeholders including government agencies, urban planners, developers, activists, and members of the community. We must set up developmental strategies to ensure that an expansion of residential areas is accompanied by the preservation of our natural ecosystems.
While the pursuit of affordable housing is challenging, making it a reality offers major benefits. It promotes inclusive communities, enhanced quality of life, environmental sustainability, and so much more. The faster our state government prioritizes equitable access to housing, the faster we can pave the way for an even more resilient and thriving Connecticut.
I am committed to utilizing my voice and platform to advocate for the advancement of an affordable housing solution. It stands as a cornerstone of social equity and economic stability. My colleagues and I must work collaboratively toward a future where our vision can become a reality.