Center for Housing Opportunity

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

“I do see this as, if someone has paid their debt to society, regardless of the situation, [they should have] access to shelter.” https://lnkd.in/gSPZJMWP

Today, Westport's inclusive zoning fee kicks in. After Fairfield has raised over $2 million for its affordable housing trust fund in the past five years, Westport is hoping to do the same. From the "06880" blog: https://lnkd.in/gD3Q4qeS

“The degree to which a city becomes more equitable and resilient has to do with its physical attributes. How the physical city changes determines the degree to which we can deal with housing affordability, mobility and climate adaptation.” https://lnkd.in/d2hpNQvb

Connecticut just released a study on housing and segregation throughout the state and its cities. What did they find, and what does it mean for housing advocacy in our state? Join us Wednesday at noon to discuss! Register here: tinyurl.com/5bdee95y

What if the local government was a real estate developer? In Montgomery County, Md., the housing authority is building (and filling) nearly 1,200 apartments, plenty of them affordable, even as the housing market has slowed down nationwide. Now Atlanta and Boston are trying to follow their example. https://lnkd.in/g4D82bZw

In Darien, the Stefanonis’ decade-long fight to build senior housing is emblematic of how attitudes about affordable housing have changed in recent years. From CT Examiner: https://lnkd.in/eaEVtFbb

“The legitimacy of the entire building code system—already eroding after recent changes...dampened hopes for more ambitious, greener codes—may now be at stake. Some experts involved in writing the latest codes say they may abandon the process altogether…” https://lnkd.in/eBnihv9B

“Parking—and especially the expectation of easy and free parking—is also partly behind the country’s housing shortage, putting more pressure on state and local leaders to rethink the ubiquitous parking infrastructure.” From Route Fifty: https://lnkd.in/eArdzgyQ