Lamont promotes new housing law in Fairfield Co. Can it solve CT's housing crisis?
Lamont said the new law will make Connecticut more affordable, but critics claim it will lead to overdevelopment.
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Fairfield County is not only the most expensive place in Connecticut; it’s one of the priciest housing markets in the nation.
That’s why Gov. Ned Lamont picked Norwalk to sign a sweeping new affordable housing law on Monday. It aims to build more than 100,000 new homes.
But housing advocates wanted to go even further, while opponents warned the new law will lead to massive overdevelopment.
“TWO OR THREE JOBS TO MAKE IT”
Behind all the politics are people like Johnny Hudson. Like many people in Connecticut, he struggled to find a home he could actually afford.
“Oh my God. You have to have probably two or three jobs just to make it,” he said. “With the rent being so high, everything is so high up, food going up.”
Hudson moved into Oak Grove Apartments in Norwalk four months ago. The 69 modern, single-family homes are reserved for low-income families – and even come with free after-school care for working parents.
Just a few doors down from Hudson’s new apartment, Lamont went before the cameras to sign Connecticut’s first major housing law in years.
The governor believes housing affordability is a winning issue in his re-election bid.
“You’re not serious about affordability unless you’re serious about housing,” he told reporters. “And housing starts with a diversity of housing where all of our folks can afford to step up, step down, but have a place they can call home.”
COMPROMISE HOUSING BILL
The governor wasn’t always on board.
In June, he vetoed a much tougher bill that imposed “Fair Share” housing quotas on each community amid fierce backlash from local leaders – especially Republicans – as
But on Monday, several stood with Lamont to support the new compromise.
“Over the last six months, Republicans and Democrats alike, we collaborated very well together,” said Michael Freda, North Haven’s GOP first selectman. “We’re not going to lose local control; I can guarantee you that. And if anybody has any questions, you can call me at North Haven Town Hall.”
Instead of individual quotas, nine regional Councils of Government will now craft wider housing goals. And instead of threatening penalties, towns can get incentives for building around transit hubs.
Lamont hailed the new version as a win-win.
“That’s what this bill is all about,” the governor said. “Towns, show us how you want to do it and we’re going to be there as your partner going forward.”
STILL CONTROVERSIAL
Despite the changes, the new law is still controversial in suburbs like Fairfield.
“I’m not sure it will add as much affordable as it will add $3,000, $4,000 rental units,” said Kathryn Braun, a member of the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission.
Braun is part of the group CT169Strong, which heavily lobbied against both proposals. She believes Lamont is offering developers a free pass – especially sections that loosen parking requirements for smaller complexes and allow commercial buildings to be converted to residential without a public hearing.
“If you don’t have the opposing viewpoint presented by experts, or the opportunity for that in a public hearing, you don't hear the whole story all the time,” she said.
No Republican voted for the housing bill, and a handful of Democrats opposed it too.
“Make no mistake, there will still be a number of units assigned under this ‘forced share’ mandate,” said state Rep. Tony Scott (R-Monroe). “Municipalities will still have to meet the burden of complying with Fair Share 3.0, or the so-called Housing Growth Plans.”
But back at Oak Grove, Hudson is just happy he found a place to call home that doesn’t break the bank.
“I’m thankful just to live out here,” he said. “It’s just me and my mom right here.”
