LWVCT Support for HB 7186, AA Establishing a Housing Program to Encourage Housing Growth
|
|
|
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE PUBLIC HEARING, MARCH 9, 2007 Support for HB 7186, AA Establishing a Housing Program to Encourage Housing Growth
On March 9, 2007, the committee will be discussing HB 7186, AA Establishing a Housing program to encourage Housing Growth. The League strongly supports this bill. HB 7186 will serve as an incentive to municipalities to allow the construction of higher density housing. Higher density housing is generally conducive to being affordable, because less land per unit is needed, so land costs are reduced. By encouraging compact development instead of sprawl, more open space can remain undeveloped. The intent is to begin to reverse the longstanding and market-driven tendency of municipalities to zone for widely spaced single-family dwellings that continually consume large swaths of Connecticut's land area. This pattern of development is now recognized as being destructive to our ecosystems and particularly, to the quality of our waterways and ultimately to our supply of fresh water. HB 7186 provides that 20% of the constructed housing will be affordable for households earning less than 80% of median income. Lack of affordable housing continues to deplete our communities of younger families and workers, essential to our businesses and who supply many of the services on which we rely. Many of our adult children cannot now afford to settle in their own hometowns. Many workers who manage to stay in Connecticut are forced to live far from their job and commute for long distances, most often by private cars, which increases road congestion and air pollution. The League therefore believes that incentives for the construction of affordable housing continue to be needed. Municipalities should be proactive on locating affordable housing in areas with adequate infrastructure and near transportation facilities. The League believes that Connecticut should do all we can to provide our residents with adequate housing and to protect our natural resources. For that reason, we strongly support HB 7186 and urge this committee to give its full support for enactment. Barbara J. Brockhurst Margaret Wirtenberg Specialists, League of Women Voters of Connecticut |
|
