The upcoming legislative session is likely to bring a new effort to pass meaningful zoning reforms, according to advocates for a fund that rewards towns that create affordable housing and eviction protections for tenants.

Growing Together Connecticut, a consortium of about 45 advocacy groups, faith leaders and housing experts, held a press conference Tuesday to announce their proposals for several housing-related measures they want to see lawmakers take up. The proposals included another attempt to pass what’s called a “fair share” law, which would require towns to plan and zone for more affordable housing based on the needs of the region and not just within their borders.

“Connecticut is one of the most expensive places to find housing in the country,” said Erin Boggs, executive director at Open Communities Alliance, one of Growing Together Connecticut’s members. “We are also one of the most segregated places in the country.

“And these things go together because when you take most of the state off the table for development of beautiful, denser, more cost-effective housing, and only a few municipalities step up to the plate welcoming such housing, you inevitably wind up with soaring housing costs, disinvestment from particular areas and barriers in accessing others. This is a formula for family economic hardship and statewide economic stagnation.”

Housing advocacy group announces priorities for legislative session, Ginny Monk, CT Mirror, December 13, 2022, available here