Social Justice

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Connecticut, the wealthiest state in the union hosts three of the poorest cities in the country: New Haven, Bridgeport and Hartford. The scenario equates to scarce and non-affordable housing. We have seen the need for affordable housing, to allow the working poor, especially those who are elderly, disabled or with families, to move from shelters into affordable housing. The problem is the rent structure that must be charged, in the face of the non-funding by the Connecticut Legislature of affordable housing bonds/grants (not re-funded since 1992). In the building of affordable housing, with existing State loans, the interest costs must be passed on to the renter, which raises the rent costs significantly. The cost of housing and childcare alone for a parent in New Haven, with two young children requires an income of $24,000/year, just for these two expenses (well below the income at minimum wage, leaving nothing for all other expenses). Connecticut's investment in affordable housing must be brought to the level it was ten years ago ($125 million).