New Haven is a port town and, since its inception, has had a long and rich history of its citizens opening the doors of their private properties to travelers, explorers, and wanderers. Its doors have been faithfully open and welcoming to those who seek shelter — not just homeowners, but housing providers as well.

A famous housing provider was William Lanson, an African American engineer, builder, and leader in New Haven. He achieved projects too difficult for others, namely extending New Haven’s Long Wharf, the longest in the country at that time.

He owned multiple rental houses and accommodated temporary guests. Similarly to Airbnbs today, he provided accommodations to people who faced discrimination elsewhere, lacked the credentials to get leases, could not afford hotels, or needed accommodations that hotels could not provide.

But Lanson was accused of disorderly conduct, sexual impropriety, and other alleged offenses at his lodging properties. A New Haven police officer, hostile newspaper publishers, and segments of the city’s white political and business establishment turned against him.

The properties where Lanson provided housing were in the Wooster neighborhood. Over time, the area had become desirable real estate, and there was a pressing need for housing workers from the factories nearby.

New Haven turned against Lanson. The Columbian Register portrayed Lanson as leading an establishment associated with vice, mockingly characterizing his operation as an “African college” of criminality. Other New Haven publications also helped amplify opposition to Lanson.

He was subjected to repeated police surveillance, prosecution, arrests, and public hostility. Officer Jesse Knevals repeatedly investigated Lanson’s lodging properties, keeping them under surveillance for months. Historian Stacey Close reported in an April 2026 lecture that Knevals testified he had observed no improper conduct in houses owned by Lanson, despite the sustained investigations.

In the end, Lanson was ruined. He was jailed five times in six years on petty charges and spent 450 days in jail. He lost everything. In 1851, he died in the almshouse in his 70s.

Years later, in 2020, New Haven formally acknowledged its mistreatment of William Lanson. On September 26, Mayor Justin Elicker publicly apologized for the historical discrimination and false accusations against him, offered a posthumous pardon for falsely brought municipal charges, and declared September 26 William Lanson Day. A seven-foot bronze statue honoring him was unveiled in New Haven.

Now, fast-forward six years to 2026. During this same time of year, under Mayor Elicker’s watch, an ordinance was proposed to restrict the ability of housing providers to offer short-term rentals. Ordinance OR-2026-0039 was formally submitted on October 5. On October 23 the Board of Alders Legislation Committee advanced the measure to the full board for a vote in November.

Particularly poignant is that one of the alders that presented the ordinance is Mandy Martinelli, representing the very same Wooster neighborhood where Lanson provided lodging so many years ago.

The persecution Lanson endured must not be diminished. His story should make us examine how readily a city can portray housing providers and their guests as threats while overlooking the people they serve.

The city cannot undo what happened to Lanson. But an apology should be more than a ceremony and a statue. It should change how we examine accusations, whose voices we listen to, and whether we recognize the community value of opening doors to people who have few other options.

What would the mayor who apologized to William Lanson say to a housing provider offering similar accommodations today? Would that provider be honored for opening doors, or be told to close them?

In the spirit of Halloween, will the ghosts of New Haven’s past remind us to examine the decisions we make today? Honoring our history should mean carrying its lessons forward, including fairness toward those who open their doors to others.

If passed, this will negatively affect thousands of people – immigrants, displaced persons, and patients annually — individuals who can only be helped by the service the city is trying to ban.

Local businesses stand to lose millions in annual income. Thousands of workers that support local businesses will also suffer. That figure does not capture the full network of people supported by short-term rentals, including maintenance workers, cleaners, greeters, local soap makers, artists, and other small producers and service providers.

Contact your alder and urge opposition to ordinance OR-2026-0039 as written. Ask for an approach that addresses problem properties while allowing responsible local housing providers to continue serving our community.

Naomi Freeman lives in New Haven.