Posted on May 3, 2024
HARTFORD – On Friday, May 3rd, State Representative Tom O’Dea (R-New Canaan) proposed an amendment during debate on H.B. 5474 which enables a key provision to improve Connecticut’s affordable housing statute, 8-30g.
The controversial housing statute has been on the books in Connecticut for over three decades and requires that at least 10% of a municipality’s housing stock be deemed affordable or deed restricted.
“There is no question that 8-30g has been a failure in southern Fairfield County, especially in New Canaan and Darien. The restrictions in this statute have stifled affordable housing growth in my district and the unevenly applied moratorium process has continued to pit the state against our municipalities. By encouraging municipalities to build more publicly-funded affordable housing, the state is working with our towns, not against,” Rep. O’Dea said.
“New Canaan was a leader in creating a building permit fee designated to create more affordable housing and received a moratorium for their locally-driven efforts. The municipality was denied a subsequent moratorium, despite building affordable units in excess of the required amount. My bipartisan amendment directly addresses this contradiction.”
In March, Rep. O’Dea testified before the Housing Committee, offering the provision which was passed on Friday evening.
Rep. O’Dea’s amendment, LCO 5591, will ensure that “eligible units completed before a moratorium has begun, but that were not counted toward establishing eligibility for such moratorium may be counted toward establishing eligibility for a subsequent moratorium.” This will directly impact New Canaan and similar municipalities facing an unfair rejection of moratorium.
“This provision is essential to develop a more cooperative relationship between the state and municipalities, and also encourage municipalities to take initiative in bolstering their affordable housing stock,” O’Dea said. “I want to thank my bipartisan colleagues – Representatives Kavros-Degraw, Zullo, Scott, and the Majority Leader Rep. Rojas – for their support of this important measure to benefit our towns.”
The underlying legislation, H.B. 5474, passed the House by a tally of 99-51.
Rep. O’Dea serves as Deputy House Minority Leader.
Rep. O’Dea represents the 125th Assembly District, consisting of New Canaan, Darien, and north Stamford.
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