Throughout my three days spent navigating the packed halls of the Omni Hotel in New Haven at YIMBYtown – the premiere nationwide pro-homes conference, I felt a mixture of emotions.
Excited- to see old colleagues and meet new ones. Engaged – in the pursuit of sharing and learning new ways of thinking. Earnest – in the hope that the infectious energy of over 1,000 people might inspire real change in our narratives around the meaning of home.
But mostly, I felt embarrassed. As the hosting state for YIMBYtown, Connecticut should have been leading the conversation. Our state leaders should have been on the main stage, sharing how we are creating new homes, strengthening protections for tenants, and preventing homelessness. Instead, the spotlight was on Connecticut for the Governor’s veto of H.B 5002, the legislature’s unwillingness to call a vote on Just Cause Eviction protections, and other ways we are lagging behind our neighbors.
Meanwhile, attendees at the conference heard from numerous states who have managed to figure out how to tackle our country’s desperate need for new homes. On a panel entitled, “Pro Homes Wins in Red States,” presenters from Montana, Texas, Florida and Arkansas, shared how they managed to pass significant housing legislation, even in conservative political climates. Three of these states have passed policy allowing for commercial conversion opportunities; a provision Connecticut could have had if H.B 5002 had not been vetoed.
Our New England neighbor, Maine, tackled “local control” in 2022 through setting regional housing production goals. They did this by emphasizing to residents the economic impact of inaction on housing. Connecticut’s business community agrees with this evidence. Maine’s legislation also included the development of a Housing Opportunity Fund, providing $2 million in grants to municipalities for technical assistance and infrastructure aimed at creating new homes. Similar provisions were included in H.B 5002, but the veto left our state standing still, despite statewide and national research on how many families are struggling every day.
Listening to representatives from other states talk about their successes, it is easy to think “Well that won’t work for Connecticut” or “That will never happen here.” But this thinking is a fallacy. Connecticut is not unique. Our residents suffer from our inaction in the same way that families experience the effects of unaffordability and insecurity in any other place. NIMBYs, advocates for local control, and those fearful of change exist everywhere. What sets us apart from these other states is our unwillingness to hear beyond the loudest voices of opposition and do what is right for the lives of our current, and future, residents.
The lessons from YIMBYtown are clear: Connecticut’s inaction on housing is unacceptable. We are not special. It is time for our legislature, and our governor, to pass strong, meaningful housing legislation that serves our families, our economy, and our future. We simply can’t wait.
Kayla Giordano is the Senior Strategies Initiatives Officer for the Partnership for Strong Communities.