Centers for Housing Opportunity

What's on the horizon for housing in 2025 in Connecticut? State Senators including the Majority leader and key Committee Chairs join Fairfield County Talks Housing this month to offer the inside scoop. Speakers: Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff Senator MD Rahman, Co-Chair, Planning & Development Committee Senator Martha Marx, Co-Chair, Housing Committee Mendi Blue Paca, President & CEO, Fairfield County's Community Foundation (Introductory Remarks) Evonne Klein, Founder, Fairfield County Talks Housing (Host) RSVP: bit.ly/FCTHJanuary2025

Connecticut has a brand new authority designed to help communities develop housing in their downtown core - the Municipal Redevelopment Authority (MRDA). Their Executive Director David Kooris joined Fairfield County Talks Housing One-on-One this week to explain how MRDA will operate and how communities can engage with it. Full interview: https://lnkd.in/edt_rfHp

House Majority Leader Jason Rojas describes how Connecticut residents can help make their communities more affordable. This is the first in a series of new one-on-one conversations with housing leaders in Connecticut from Fairfield County Talks Housing. Full interview: https://lnkd.in/ehv-dNC6

Over the least three years, the Connecticut Tenants Union has established 17 local chapters which help renters advocate for their rights. “As much as we all live in fear and anxiety, there's a sense of security and hope that the tenant union has brought about that has never been present," says Lori-Lynn Ross of Parkside Village II Tenants Union.

Last week, Representative Maria Horn (D-64) helped secure $2 million in development funds for a new affordable housing development in Salisbury, Connecticut, Holley Place. “There’s no question that we need more rental homes that are affordable in the community and this would provide 14," said our Litchfield County Director Jocelyn Ayer. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ez_VkscW

Throughout the fall we've been co-hosting conversations about housing justice with our partners at Connecticut College in New London. The third event, Housing Justice and Children, is coming up this Monday, December 2. Join us in the Ernst Common Room at 11:45, lunch will be provided. RSVP: https://bit.ly/3Z7hC0D

Conservation and affordable housing go hand-in-hand, and we’re demonstrating this in Litchfield County through a partnership with Housatonic Valley Association. Together, we are providing communities with the strategies, tools, and relationships needed to building affordable homes while also supporting land use conservation. Thanks to Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy, Northwest Hills Council of Governments (NHCOG), Habitat for Humanity Northwest CT and all the towns who have participated so far. Learn more and get involved at https://lnkd.in/exBG5gc5

“We actually now have more than 25% of those on our shelter wait list who are over 62, and recently we’ve had people in their 80s accessing emergency shelter.” Our colleague Jessica Kubicki of The Housing Collective outlined the state of homelessness in Fairfield County during our Fairfield County Talks Housing conversation last week. After a 19% increase in homelessness, experts recommend concrete action, like permitting more multi-family housing.

Together, CHEO and the Regional Plan Association partnered to produce the Eastern CT Housing Needs Assessment, a report released this month illustrating how the region is being affected by the ongoing housing shortage. Rates of construction have halved since the early 2000s, causing prices to increase and creating a severe cost burden on those with the least means to manage it. CHEO Director Elizabeth Sabilia recently spoke to The Day Publishing Company about how the report's findings can be used to make an actionable plan. “These are excellent tools for policy makers to really look at the needs of their community, and stop guessing. And stop resorting to hyperbole. And actually look at the data, and make decisions based on that data.” Check out the article here: https://lnkd.in/eqTcQ97b. Find the full report here: https://lnkd.in/er8BqFFt.

Join our team at Center for Housing Opportunity! Are you passionate about housing equity and eager to make a meaningful impact? Look no further, our CHO team is seeking a Program Associate to join our talented team. As a Program Associate at CHO, you'll play a vital role in supporting our dynamic team as we lead the way in housing practice, policy, technical assistance, and advocacy with our partners across CT. From collaborating on innovative projects to engaging with communities, your contributions will be integral to advancing our mission. https://lnkd.in/diJrsVXg