Connecticut lacks over 90,000 units of affordable housing to meet the needs of all our state’s residents. Rates of homelessness, including among families with children as well as elders and other vulnerable individuals, are increasing annually. State leaders agree that housing affordability is at a crisis point in our state. Yet in spite of the efforts of many advocates and leaders, legislative proposals to increase housing affordability have been stymied year after year.

Since statewide change has so far been blocked, GHIAA leaders will organize in the towns where we live, work, and worship, to overcome obstacles and expand access to affordable housing in all our communities. This strategy will create impact in our local contexts, and will also build power regionally and statewide to fight for and win wider-scale change. To learn more about our Housing Action Team strategy, check out this info sheet. 

2025 Update: HAT teams have been established in several GHIAA towns. They are at varying stages of the organizing process. We provided trainings on organizing skills and an introduction to affordable housing. Technical assistance and a housing consultant is also available, as needed. Teams are engaged in learning the landscape in their town, using a GHIAA-developed resource kit. 

Some teams have already taken part in public hearings or other advocacy activities while others are still preparing to engage in those ways. Next steps include further training and building relationships across the various teams to catalyze shared learning across the region.