End of Session Update

Homelessness

Here, in the wealthiest state in the wealthiest nation in human history, why is there homelessness? Why?  Why haven’t we eliminated it?  What stops us?  What is to be done? 

Hartford homeless service providers work tirelessly to serve those on the brink of homelessness and to find shelter and housing for those who become homeless. With funds from the CARES ACT, our service providers were able to increase their capacity in significant ways. Prior to CARES ACT funding, if you were on the brink of homelessness, you could only call for assistance 48 hours before being out on the street. Today, you can call up to two weeks in advance, and many times homelessness is able to be avoided. This and many other services are about to be diminished when CARES ACT funding ends. Now, everyone is looking to Hartford to solve the funding issue.  

Some 40% of the homeless population that Hartford serves come from the suburbs, and yet Hartford and Manchester continue to be the municipalities funding the care of our most vulnerable.

We understand that there are different fiscal realities and funding streams for each town and city. We understand some towns have volunteer elected officials and others full time positions.  But it comes down to this:  It is unconscionable that we have homelessness in this state. We don’t pretend it’s easy. But what’s not complicated is declaring that if there was the will, in this state, there would be a way to end homelessness.  GHIAA is calling on leaders in the suburbs to acknowledge their responsibility in ending homelessness and implement a plan to contribute to ensuring that every individual has access to reliable and safe shelter.

Fair Share Zoning Reform

Connecticut has among the highest levels of racial, ethnic, and economic segregation in housing and public schools in the nation.  

The segregation we live with today is absolutely by design. We inherit it from a long legacy of racism, which shows up in intentional exclusionary policies, in persistent myths about affordable housing, and in our fierce commitment to “home rule” in our segregated communities, where we prevent affordable housing from being built through town plans and zoning laws.   

The type of zoning we use in Connecticut has its roots in a U.S. Supreme Court case from the 1920s, in which the court said that using zoning to keep people out because of their race is valid. In a decision on this case, the judge wrote the following: 

 “the blighting of property values and the congesting of population, whenever the colored or certain foreign races invade a residential section, are so well known as to be within the judicial cognizance.”  

GHIAA is joining forces with Open Communities Alliance, the organization leading this fight with a viable, smart, and attainable road map for transforming where and how affordable housing gets created. We are going to fight to end racial and economic segregation in Connecticut. 

It will be a long fight.  

There will be many opponents – both loud and vocal opponents, and those who sit silently by because we are quite comfortable with how our towns are designed, even if slightly uncomfortable with the segregation it causes.  

We know that issues of zoning reform make or break political careers – but real leadership here and now can define political legacies. We also know that smart zoning reform, like the Fair Share legislation GHIAA is supporting with Open Communities Alliance, is not only right and just, but is also economically, educationally, and environmentally smart. It is simply good for Connecticut.  

Rent Caps

Nationally, rent increased an average of 18% in the past two years. In CT, the average rent increase was 20%.  

Black, Latine, and poor and working-class renters are most impacted by skyrocketing rent increases that are leading to evictions and homelessness. It is our moral duty to end the exploitation of our most vulnerable sisters and brothers and their families. Passing legislation to stabilize and control rent in our state is a clear extension of our work for racial and economic justice.  

Renters and their families deserve stability, including predictable rent payments and increases, just like homeowners enjoy stable payments once they have signed a mortgage. In partnership with CT Tenant Unions, CT DSA, and the Connecticut Fair Housing Center, GHIAA will fight for a 3% rent cap across the State. 

California and Oregon created statewide rent caps, and around 200 municipalities have some form of rent stabilization. Through researching and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, GHIAA learned that the housing insecurity crisis Connecticut is facing will not be solved by building more housing in an uncontrolled housing market, nor by “fair rent” commissions. We need to prevent predatory rent increases that force families to choose between food, shelter, and medical care, because they cannot afford all three.