Bite-Sized Politics: Candidates on Affordable Housing

THE ISSUE:

The cost of land and housing in Fairfield County, particularly in Darien, is high; and the need for affordable housing is great. Many of the Town’s own employees, single-parent families, seniors and young people cannot afford to live locally in market-rate homes. But the supply cannot meet the demand, and wait-lists for Allen O’Neill, Old Town Hall Homes and Clock Hill Homes continue to grow.

The State has long recognized this need, and in 1990 introduced 8-30g, which intends to encourage affordable housing. The act mandates that in a town like Darien, where less than 10 percent of the housing stock is affordable—priced for those earning 60 to 80 percent of the state's median income—developers are allowed to put up projects that are denser than the town would normally permit. Towns that show progress are cut some slack; an increase of affordable housing by two percent results in a moratorium—a four-year period during which the town is not subject to the law. Projects like the proposed 35 Leroy Avenue development and the redevelopment of Allen O'Neill could help Darien attain that temporary relief.

But introducing new affordable housing to Darien remains controversial, as it poses a number of challenges. The town is already over 98% developed, and the cost of land is extremely high. An affordable housing development in Darien then, is often a very pricey re-development. Furthermore, the community prides itself in the single-family home character of most Darien neighborhoods.

All this in mind, maintaining control of affordable housing development by way of a moratorium has been a longtime goal of the current Board of Selectmen, as addressed in their 2008 The Town of Darien Affordable Housing Plan.

Uncertainty and controversy looms around affordable housing, and the pressures of 8-30g remain as the next Board of Selectmen takes office.

CANDIDATES ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

Callie Sullivan (D)

I helped develop the Affordable Housing Plan, which the current Board of Selectmen adopted. We must proactively build more affordable housing for control of our Planning and Zoning Regulations, and compassion for the 170 people who sit on waiting lists, hoping to be housed in our town.

Chris Noe (I)

I will use every available tool to get a moratorium. I need more people to come forward with the existing illegal apartments. They will be legalized with the Accessory Apartment regulations Planning and Zoning is writing now. I don't want a trailer park in Darien but what we have now is far worse; our neighborhoods under attack. With the moratorium secured we will partner with other towns in the state and fight to modify the language of 8-30g. With a moratorium in place local builders will realize they can now build what is right for Darien. Example: There is a torn-up site on West Avenue that would look nice with new single-family homes built on it.

Dave Campbell (R)

It’s time someone stands up for what’s right for Darien. I will push back against state mandates that adversely affect our town. For instance, Hartford’s affordable housing quota should consider that Darien has little remaining open space and that we already provide affordable housing options—others are in the works. When possible, I will join forces with other towns to modify unfair requirements imposed by the state.

Still hungry? Read more Bite-Sized Politics here:

Bite-Sized Politics: Candidates on Lights
Bite-Sized Politics: Candidates on Flooding
Bite-Sized Politics: Candidates on 35 Leroy
Bite-Sized Politics: Candidates on Special Education
Bite-Sized Politics: Candidates on Party Lines
Bite-Sized Politics: Candidates on (Non) Politics