The Intersection of Affordable Housing and Civic Engagement: Creating a Thriving Fairfield County

Written by Elaine Mintz, FCCF Vice President of Strategy and External Relations

As a lifelong Connecticut resident and thirty-plus-year resident of Fairfield County, I appreciate that Connecticut is a great place to live and raise a family for many. However, our state—and particularly Fairfield County—is failing many of our residents. Far too many do not have safe, affordable places to call home in a community where they want to live.

The Community Foundation has worked to address the lack of affordable housing in Fairfield County for over two decades. Over the years, we shifted our housing efforts from solely investing in nonprofit organizations doing brick-and-mortar development to catalyzing county-wide system change. In addition to being a driving force behind Fairfield County’s Center for Housing Opportunity (FCCHO), we grant more than $500,000 annually to organizations working to ensure that all Fairfield County residents have safe, stable, and affordable housing in communities of opportunity.

The State of Housing Affordability

Despite our efforts and the efforts of other housing organizations and advocates in the county and across the state, our housing problem persists and is, in fact, getting worse. Connecticut faces a shortage of 90,000 units of affordable housing. As the most expensive housing market in the state and the most segregated by income and race, Fairfield County is the epicenter of the crisis.

According to recent estimates, we need 25,000 more affordable housing units to meet the current demand. From 2020 to 2022, rental rates in Fairfield County increased by 22%, and home prices rose by 32%. This housing shortage and cost burden affects not just low-income residents but also employers that struggle to attract employees who can afford to live in the area and young people and retirees who find themselves priced out of the market. And Connecticut’s infrastructure is clogged with those commuting long distances between home and work.

Connecticut’s absence of county government complicates addressing the housing crisis. Restrictive zoning in suburban towns prevents the creation of diverse housing options fueled by a “not in my backyard” (NIMBY) mindset and a history of strong local control.

Despite the worsening crisis, little action has been taken at the local, state, and federal levels. The 2024 CT legislative session ended without meaningful housing progress, highlighting a misalignment between public policy and constituent needs. Polls show broad support for more diverse and affordable housing options, yet policies fail to reflect this demand. A national Gallup poll from May 2024 showed that housing was second only to inflation in a survey of Americans’ financial worries.

Civic Engagement – a Key Lever for Realizing Change

FCCF believes a thriving community needs empowered individuals who vote, speak up, and get involved in community change. Increasing civic participation is crucial to moving our government representatives to enact laws and regulations aligned with our community’s needs. More voices need to be heard in Hartford and local municipalities. This is why FCCF invests in increasing civic participation, supporting voter education, and investing in efforts to get more people to use their voting power, advocate for their needs, and lean into public service.

FCCF’s investment in civic engagement has increased over the past several years. Our efforts include:

• Voter Education Campaigns: Since 2022, we have invested in public awareness campaigns to increase voter turnout in Fairfield County, targeting populations less likely to vote. For 2024, we are working closely with the Secretary of State to amplify voting information and inform residents about
  early voting and the no-excuse absentee ballot initiative.
• Grantmaking: FCCF provides grants to community partners for voter education, engagement, and registration efforts, focusing on increasing civic participation.
• Nonprofit Training: FCCF recognizes that nonprofits are trusted messengers within communities. We provide training on how nonprofits can and should incorporate voter engagement strategies into their work.
• Building Awareness of Local Housing Meetings: Through Fairfield County’s Center for Housing Opportunity, we support a weekly calendar of local housing meetings to encourage resident participation in shaping housing decisions.
• Supporting Resident-Led Advocacy: FCCF collaborates with PT Partners in Bridgeport’s PT Barnum Apartments, supporting resident-led advocacy initiatives to improve public safety, economic stability, and quality of life in public housing.

Learn more and get involved

Below are three ways you can learn more and get involved!

• View a recent webinar – I participated in a webinar with Stephanie Thomas, CT’s Secretary of State, and Courtney Cooperman of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, sponsored by the Partnership for Strong Communities. The webinar addressed the intersection of affordable housing and civic engagement and was a great discussion. You can access the webinar here.
• Check out NonprofitVOTE.org – The organization offers nonpartisan resources to help nonprofits integrate voter engagement into their ongoing activities and services. Learn more at NonprofitVOTE.org.
• Take the CEO Pledge – FCCF has taken the Secretary of State’s Civically Engaged Organization pledge, committing to informing our staff and community about the importance of voting and sharing election information. We encourage community partners and businesses to take the pledge as well.

By working together, we can meet our community’s needs and ensure that every resident has access to safe, affordable housing in the community where they want to live.

For more information, contact me at emintz@fccfoundation.org.

Elaine V. Mintz
Vice President, Strategy & External Communications

Elaine joined Fairfield County’s Community Foundation in 2011 as the Center for Nonprofit Excellence Director and currently serves as Vice President of Strategy and External Relations. Elaine is responsible for the Foundation’s external relations, communications, community engagement, advocacy, and strategic learning and evaluation.

Before joining the Community Foundation, Elaine served as Director of the Greater Danbury Nonprofit Resource Center, leading the organization from its inception in 2005 to its merger with Fairfield County’s Community Foundation’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence in 2011. At the state level, Elaine was a research consultant with the Justice Planning Division of the Office of Policy & Management and a Connecticut General Assembly Appropriations Committee staff member. She was an adjunct faculty member at Norwalk Community College, teaching political science courses.

Elaine is an active member of the board for the Norwalk River Valley Trail. She dedicated six years to the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy (CCP) board, including two years as Board Chair, and continues to contribute as a member of CCP’s Policy Committee. Additionally, Elaine co-chaired the Fairfield County’s Funders Network for six years, served on the advisory board for the MPA program at Sacred Heart University, and was a member of the Redding Board of Ethics.

Elaine holds a master’s degree in Public Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Connecticut. She lives in Norwalk with her husband, Doug. She enjoys hiking, movies, travel, and cooking.