Survey Questions and Candidate Responses

Cynthia Mangini | Participating Election

As a Realtor I see the need for affordable housing. Incentivizing rather than mandating municipalities to address their zoning codes to be friendlier could help.

Nick Gauthier | Participating Election

Investment in housing must be made through public and not-for-profit avenues, because if only private, for-profit developers are involved then housing costs will continue to rise as their aim is to increase profits rather than to provide affordable housing.

Tammy Nuccio | Participating Election

I do not support mandating towns and cities to alter their zoning. Incentivizing - yes, mandating - no. If the state is serious about expanding affordable housing options outside of the cities then it needs to invest in good, solid transportation opportunities that would allow people of lower or middle income levels to live in more rural areas.

Jonathan Steinberg | Participating Election

Housing diversity is something we all should support for the vitality of our communities. Unfortunately, this discussion has devolved into unfair accusations of segregation and racism, which is not helpful. The now antiquated 8-30g statute has had draconian impacts on many suburban communities and should be replaced with a new methodology which sets reasonable goals for each community. Incentives are better than punitive policies, but it starts with each municipality adopting inclusionary zoning plans, now required by state law. I'm hopeful we can develop a better system which will accelerate the growth in affordable units to meet the burgeoning need.

Anne Hughes | Participating Election

Prioritize and incentivize and fund Public (state) investment in small, creative affordable housing clusters/continuum of housing within existing neighborhoods, especially suburbs, for multi-age, accessible housing. Not leaving up to developers, invest in public infrastructure for affordable housing pockets stock: water, sewer, broadband in micro-neighborhoods of single, 2 bedroom options for singles, graduates, seniors, divorced families, within every municipality.

Laura A. Fucci | Participating Election

The 830-G regulations should be tightened up to ensure that the developers provide a greater percentage of affordable units than currently exist. Additionally, laws and ordinances related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) need to be adjusted to allow for seniors to remain in their communities as well as others to afford housing.

Lisa Thomas | Participating Election

There should be strong incentives in place for towns to implement their housing affordability plans. Coupled with these efforts, there must be a serious investment by the state to support public transportation in our rural and lower income communities. The Bi-Partisan Infrastructure and Jobs Bill has dollars we must bring to northeastern CT for this purpose.

John Carlson | Participating Election

All zoning should remain local. Incentives may be used, but the biggest thing we can do to create affordable housing is to grow our economy and provide our residents with good paying jobs. Another way would be to reduce government involvement in the rent industry. The government is artificially inflating rents by overpaying for rent. Slumlords then increase their monthly rents because the government is paying more than they would actually get from a working family. This cycle then encourages all other owners to also charge more and the costs just keep going up.

Kara Rochelle | Participating Election

Connecticut has the lowest vacancy rate in the nation for rentals. It is obvious that we need more housing, and more affordable housing in the state--the numbers prove that. Data also shows that some towns are meeting the moment while others have failed to act despite requirements to do so. In light of the seeming resistance by some towns to address their obligation to provide housing options for all variety of incomes, I do think that more incentives are necessary, as well as disincentives for failure to act. Working class residents should have the opportunity to find reasonably priced housing in every city and town in this state. There simply isn't enough housing currently, and every city and town must do its part to remedy this issue.

John Rasimas | Participating Election

I believe that CHFA and down payment assistance programs work, and should be expanded for those seeking home ownership. CHFA type programs also support multi-family rental projects. The current CGS 8-30g regulatory system misses the mark and circumvents local control.

Edwin Vargas | Participating Election

I do.

MD Masudur Rahman | Participating Election

I believe public-private partnerships are key in further addressing Connecticut's lack of affordable housing. I support our state's recent reforms to allow accessory dwelling units, and will defend those critical reforms as a senator.

Lucy Dathan | Participating Election

Affordable housing has drawn a lot of attention over recent years at the state level and nationally, as housing costs have risen. Connecticut lacks an estimated 87K units of both affordable and low income housing. 8-30g has not been as successful at developing enough affordable housing as many hoped, but necessary amendments to the law were enacted to help towns meet the 10% target. The most important is 8-30j, which requires towns to approve affordable housing plans every 5 years. This is important as a road map to the 10% target. I support the 8-2 statute, the zoning enabling act, giving the necessary local control to towns’ P&Z commissions for development. I believe we can find a solution to make 8-30g more effective in developing affordable housing, while still giving local control to the towns. Businesses locating to an area must ensure their workforce can find affordable housing in order to attract the best talent.

Christine Palm | Participating Election

It starts with educating town officials that affordable housing is GOOD for their towns. Too many see it as a threat to “town character” which is a dog-whistle for keeping small towns white.

David Michel | Participating Election

I am fine incentivizing towns and cities to alter their zoning codes to be friendlier to affordable housing 1. We need to fix who is helped by "affordable" housing programs, such as access to BMR or section 8. The most vulnerable are not really covered by those programs. We need to fix that. There are some programs for low income but by far not enough. 2.We should raise affordable housing for the whole state in new big construction to 30%. Stamford is at 10, Norwalk at 15, and it's clearly not enough. 3. Putting Rent Caps as the affordability took a hit with the pandemic and there were some hardly justified rent hikes. 4. I do not see it black or white when it comes to municipal powers like many of my colleagues from both sides. I do think that municipalities should have a say as to what impacts the people, neighborhoods, and their looks, to a certain extent and depending on what. It is clear we have to stop the way our population is segregated by ethnicity and financial status. However the solution is not by implementing zoning laws with "as of right" language (dismissal of public process). Being elected to represent the people, the last thing we should do is take away public process. It is a fragile balance to play with when it comes to zoning in my opinion. I have to say that Desegregate CT has been very aggressive on this yet they seem to ignore the fact that what they are pushing for does not truly help the most vulnerable communities, an apartment in the transit hub area is going to be too expensive even with a "discount". They push for "as of right" language which takes away public process. Those efforts seem to me to be helping greedy developers get what they want long term.

Don Mastronardi | Participating Election

Get rid of 8-30 G. Towns and cities should be free to make their own choices on how they want to address housing. Individual towns and cities can set up their own standards and bench marks as it relates to affordable housing. The top down, one size fits all Hartford approach is something I will always fight against. You make housing more affordable by allowing people to keep more of their hard earned money. Lower their taxes and cost of living so they can afford housing. Building more and more "affordable housing," only puts additional strains on our stressed towns and cities infrastructures. Local control of zoning and permitting will always be more efficient when done at the local level vs. mandates from the state.

Julie Kushner | Participating Election

Housing affordability is a growing concern that is making it more difficult for workers and families to call Connecticut home. I support increased funding for affordable housing, including looking at innovative mixed-income social housing programs like a pilot program recently enacted in Rhode Island. I also support comprehensive zoning reform efforts to create more affordable housing, multi-family housing, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to increase the supply of housing that’s affordable for residents of all income levels. It’s clear that local voices and decision-making needs to be part of this process. We all need to work together to make real improvements in affordable housing.

Robert Hotaling | Participating Election

We support CT towns and cities becoming more accessible and vibrant with low income or affordable housing. We need to level the playing between towns and developers incentivizing those who build affordable units that fit within town esthetics and zoning laws. We would restructure 8-30G to classify affordable housing as affordable by grand list assessment rather than government ownership and deed restriction. This allows the recognition of natural affordable housing in a variety of communities such as in-law apartments, carriage houses, un-refurbished older homes, and apartments not under deed restriction to rent out. Our strategic approach is an integrated policy that combines 8-30G with community involvement of marginalized citizens to renovate and refurbish existing properties such as abandoned homes while protecting property values. Towns and cities need to shift their thinking about any presumptions of lower income families and consider the benefits of a more diverse community.

Kimberly Becker | Participating Election

In the small and rural towns which comprise HD62, we need affordable housing for our seniors to downsize into and that young families can afford. I strongly believe that Connecticut needs to do a better job at keeping our retirees in their communities with options to age in place or downsize. Equally, attractive housing options for young families keeps our schools open and vibrant. Smart development can create opportunities for growth without losing our rural character or our agricultural roots. I am favor of incentivizing zoning changes for smart development, but not state mandates.

Jillian Gilchrest | Participating Election

I do support mandating and/or incentivizing towns and cities to alter their zoning codes to be friendlier to affordable housing.

Frank Smith | Participating Election

Municipalities are best equipped to make decisions on zoning and its enforcement. I do not support the state overstepping its bounds into decisions that I believe should be left to the local municipalities. Many towns, including Milford, have already submitted their affordable housing plans to the state. I enthusiastically support consideration of those locally submitted plans which best reflect the realities and implications to the communities that they serve.

Bob Godfrey | Participating Election

I prefer carrots over sticks and would gladly support incentives. But racism is the core obstacle to the lack of affordable housing, and sadly I don't have a solution for that.