McGorty Supports Veto Override on Affordable Housing Reform Measure

HARTFORD – Rep. Ben McGorty (R-122) voted in favor of overriding the veto of Governor Dannel P. Malloy of affordable housing reform legislation aimed at easing the ability of Shelton, Stratford, Trumbull and other similar communities statewide to achieve a moratorium on certain affordable housing requirements under the state’s 8-30g statutory requirements.

The legislation, HB 6880,  passed both the House and the Senate overwhelmingly during the regular 2017 session, but was vetoed by Malloy earlier this month. In both chambers the override squeaked by with the minimum votes possible; 101-47 votes in the House and 24-12 in the Senate.

“Our local communities like Shelton deserve the right to make critical land use decisions for themselves,” said Rep. McGorty.  “Our region has made notable strides and good-faith efforts to meet the requirements of the state’s affordable housing laws, and will continue to do so.  But this measure will help such communities avoid predatory developers who seek to circumvent local land use boards. I am proud of the bipartisan manner in which we arrived at and negotiated this bill, and am please we were able to override the governor’s veto today.”

Currently, each municipality is required to have 10% of its housing stock designated as “affordable” and current law allows developers to submit projects under the statute. If a municipality does not meet the requirements of the statute, the burden is on the municipality during the appeals process to prove the denial was for a health or safety concern.

Under the measure passed today it will be easier for a municipality like Shelton to gain an exemption, and to combat predatory developers aiming to exploit provisions of the affordable housing statutes that allow them to circumvent local planning and zoning authorities, while promoting the proper creation of affordable housing.