WESTPORT–”How Hartford can best help Westport improve housing options” will be the focus of a roundtable discussion on June 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Saugatuck Congregational Church. The event is free but registration is required here.

Across much of the country, housing has become increasingly expensive over the last few decades. 

A New York Times opinion piece, “America Needs to Build More Housing,” points out that, in 1950, an average home cost 2.5 times the average household income. That inched up to 3.1x in 1980, and has since grown to 4.9x. Housing in some parts of the country is quite a bit higher; New York City housing costs 9.5x household income.

The demand for housing in Westport–and other amenity-rich towns nearby–is very high. Mandated by state law, efforts to build more below-market housing in Westport have produced a small but growing number of affordable units. 

With the goal of making it easier to build more housing in the state, Connecticut passed a new law last year, House Bill 8002 (also referred to as Public Act 25-49). The ramification of this law–and others–will be discussed by three people with deep knowledge of particulars:

Matthew Mandell RTM member, co-sponsor of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, candidate for CT House of Representatives

Seila Mosquera-Bruno Commissioner of Housing for the State of Connecticut 

John Bolton Ex-member, Planning & Zoning Commission, candidate for Connecticut Attorney General

The roundtable will be moderated by experienced television anchor, Dave Briggs.

The roundtable will take place on June 17 at 6:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m., at the Saugatuck Congregational Church, 245 Post Road East, Westport.

The event is free to attend but attendees must register beforehand here. 

Westport Journal LIVE is underwritten by the KMS Team at Compass.