OPINION: What’s Possible if We Resolve to Make Real Housing Progress in 2025

by Mendi Blue Paca and Harlan Stone

Originally published by Hearst Media CT – February 10, 2025

The new administration in Washington DC has swiftly ushered in considerable change about certain priorities and programs at the federal level.

Yet while that evolves in rapid-fire real time, state and local lawmakers have the opportunity to move forward with urgency on key initiatives that hold promise for improving lives and our Connecticut communities.

With Connecticut’s legislative session underway, it’s our hope that a top priority is taking decisive actions toward solving the housing crisis that stands in the way of many of us reaching our full potential.

Our state and local lawmakers are best positioned to enact the most meaningful change by proposing and passing legislation aimed at increasing housing access, inventory, and affordability in a range of ways.

Yet those lawmakers will need broad support from throughout our communities to fully understand the urgency of this issue and make progress toward solutions. That support should include active participation from the business and philanthropic sectors, along with the voices of residents – those experiencing the housing crunch firsthand as well as those who can envision the positive ripple effects that will emerge when all of us can find and maintain safe and stable housing.

Over the past few years, in our respective roles as leaders of a philanthropic organization and a global company headquartered in Norwalk, we have often joined forces to raise awareness for housing solutions. A key lesson that has emerged is that housing is so fundamental to the overall health of a community.

When people can readily access housing in their hometowns, it sets the stage for a thriving and vibrant community. Conversely, when good housing is scarce and too expensive, it triggers a host of challenges that creates a crisis situation for some, and negatively impacts quality of life for all.

We have seen this issue cut across socio-economic and demographic sectors in Fairfield County, which has the second-highest income inequality gap among all metropolitan areas in the country.

There are many families with modest means who can’t find decent housing rental or purchase options, – according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Connecticut lacks about 98,000 units of housing that are affordable and available to residents with the lowest incomes.

Meanwhile, two-income early career couples often can’t come close to affording a starter home and have difficulty saving for a mortgage down payment because of high rental rates.

Moreover, many of our seniors face a financial crunch simply keeping up with the costs associated with staying in existing homes or even downsizing to more affordable options.

At our respective organizations, we’ve both encountered situations where employees can’t afford to live in close proximity to their workplace because of skyrocketing housing costs and limited inventory. Increasingly we hear of teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other essential workers having to make marathon commutes because they have been priced out of the communities they serve.

These situations create obvious challenges for the individuals and families directly affected. Yet they also put significant stress on our local infrastructure in myriad ways – from creating daily traffic headaches to straining our local social service agencies dedicated to addressing the many problems that emanate from housing insecurity.

A challenge that is this complex requires multi-faceted solutions. On the local level, there needs to be greater collaboration between municipal government, the business community, philanthropic organizations, and engaged citizens to send a unified and clear message to lawmakers that the status quo is not working.

One legislative solution that holds promise is a bill known as Work, Live, Ride, which aims to encourage more housing near Connecticut train and bus stations. The bill was passed in the House, but the Senate ran out of time to consider it. This sets the stage for the bill to be taken by both chambers during the upcoming session.

Yet there is much more that can be done to collectively address this issue, such as advocating for increased funding for the state’s rental assistance program as well as more state bonding for affordable housing development.

Another promising solution is to build public-private partnerships aimed at ramping up workforce housing initiatives, while also partnering with local governments to re-evaluate zoning regulations that too often limit opportunities to build additional housing.

We can gain momentum from there, identifying both practical and innovative ways to create more affordable and accessible housing opportunities and forging partnerships that ultimately build a sustainable and engaged movement.

That would send a clear and consistent message to our elected officials that we envision communities where everyone has access to housing.

Positive change is possible – and essential –  if we want communities where all of us can lead thriving and fulfilling lives.

Originally published by Hearst Media CT