OCA works with a number of communities and local groups to advocate for equitable changes to municipal zoning regulations and planning processes.

1. We support local and regional efforts to improve planning and zoning through education and outreach by presenting to groups, conferences, organizations and coalitions.
2. We also provide presentations on fair share planning and zoning with local and state groups.
3. In limited circumstances, OCA is able to provide extensive long-term support to local efforts to advocate for changes to zoning regulations and pursue real affordable multifamily development.

In order to empower residents and community groups in pursuing changes within their own communities, we have gathered a number of critical resources that we use in our work with community groups.

Other Zoning Resources:

HB 6944: Towns Take the Lead

Fair Share Planning and Zoning

How We Became So Segregated

• Books
  • The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein
  • Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
• Articles & Reports
  • The Case for Reparations – Ta-Nehisi Coates
  • What is Owed – Nikole Hannah Jones
  • A Steady Habit of Segregation (CT-focus) - Susan Eaton for OCA & Partners
• Videos
  • Segregated by Design - Mark Lopez & Richard Rothstein
  • Adam Ruins Everything with Nikole Hannah Jones

The Affordability Crisis

• What is affordable housing?
  • Local Housing Solutions
    • "What is affordable housing?" video
  • Partnership for Strong Communities's Affordable Housing FAQ
  • Out of Reach Report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition
• Why should we address segregation and disinvestment from higher poverty areas?
  • Opportunity Insights - Harvard University
  • The Cost of Segregation by the Metropolitan Planning Council
  • America's Poverty Course by Stanford University (see Module 8: Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration)

Zoning & Planning Basics

• Zoning 101 - Start here for a basic understanding of zoning regulations, zoning terms, and common themes
• Zoning for Equity Vol. I & II - Continue learning about barriers created by zoning regulations
• Fair Share - Learn about the proposed fair share policy for Connecticut
  • Fair share model
  • Fair share map
• Town Documents - Learn about the planning and zoning documents that your community has, including zoning regulations, Plan of Conservation and Development, Affordable Housing Plan, and when community meetings are held
• News around 8-30g developments - Follow along with affordable housing developments in CT!

Demographic and Segregation Data

• Measures of Segregation
  • DataHaven Town Equity Reports
  • DataHaven Community Wellbeing Survey
  • Othering and Belonging Segregation Indices
  • Diversity Data Kids
• Housing and Demographic Data Resources
  • Town Profiles from Partnership for Strong Communities
  • Opportunity Map
  • Mobility App (check rental housing voucher levels in your town)
  • Mapping Inequality by the University of Richmond (redlining maps)
• School Segregation Data & Research
  • Great Schools (compare resources and outcomes for schools based on racial composition) 
  • Separate & Unequal: The Interactive Effects of Housing and Education Policies on School Segregation in Connecticut, from CT Voices
  • Racial Disparities in Connecticut Education Funding, from School + State Finance Project
  • Segregation & Education, from School + State Finance Project
  • EdSight: School District Profile and Performance Reports