Can't afford a home? Housing is top issue in CT governor's race, but voters disagree on how to fix it
A recent Sacred Heart University poll found that high home prices are the top issue in this year's race for governor. But voters – and the candidates – are divided on how to solve the problem.
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Connecticut’s high cost of housing is one of the top issues in this year’s race for governor, a new poll from Sacred Heart University found.
But voters – and the candidates – are deeply divided over how to fix the problem.
HOUSING COSTS ARE TOP ISSUE
Republicans and Democrats don’t agree on much these days, but both think houses are too expensive in Connecticut. Home prices have doubled in the past decade, according to the real estate site Redfin.
According to the SHU/WFSB-TV/CT Insider poll, 67% of voters said that housing affordability is one the most important issues in the gubernatorial election. That figure held true for Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated voters.
But that’s where the agreement ends.
When asked how to solve the problem, 39% favored reducing property taxes while only 18% said building more homes. Even fewer – just 8% -- favored making it easier for developers to construct more housing.
LAMONT: MIDDLE GROUND
Gov. Ned Lamont has tried to find a middle ground.
Last fall, he signed a sweeping new housing law that reduced parking requirements and made it easier to convert commercial buildings into apartments. It aims to build more than 100,000 new homes.
“We’re putting more and more housing in old apartment buildings and parking lots and shopping centers,” he said.
But Lamont wasn’t always on board.
Several months earlier, he vetoed a much tougher bill that imposed “Fair Share” housing quotas on each community amid fierce backlash from local leaders, including fellow Democrats from Fairfield County.
“You can’t just tell me everything you’re against. We need more housing; we're building more housing,” Lamont said. “You’re not going to have the state growing with opportunity for people unless we have more housing.”
FAZIO: LOCAL ANSWERS, LOCAL CONTROL
Lamont’s opponent vowed to repeal the new housing law. Instead, Republican Ryan Fazio wants to cap property taxes and protect local control.
“I think the new housing bill won’t make housing more affordable in this state, but will impose a lot of new mandates and regulations on our towns and cities,” he said.
Fazio also wants to roll back the state’s controversial 8-30g law. It lets developers bypass local zoning rules when towns don’t have enough affordable housing.
“After 35 years, it hasn't succeeded in making housing more affordable in Connecticut,” he said.
But many communities limit development with strict zoning rules. How would Fazio encourage them to allow more housing?
“By focusing on the type of development that towns and cities will prefer … So more accessory dwelling units – those small-scale ‘in-law’ apartments. More of the residential in the retail zoned areas, so think of the little apartments above shops downtown.”
"TWO OR THREE JOBS TO MAKE IT"
Beyond all the politics is Johnny Hudson. He struggled to find a home he could actually afford.
“These days? Oh my God, you have to have probably two or three jobs just to make it,” Hudson said.
He finally found a place at Oak Grove Apartments in Norwalk. The 69 modern, single-family homes are reserved for low-income families – and even come with free after-school care for working parents.
“I’m thankful just to live out here,” Hudson said. “It’s just me and my mom right here.”
