Dear Editor:
New Canaan is at a crossroads regarding affordable housing. We all seem to acknowledge that we need more of it. We also acknowledge that there are very real and legitimate limitations to New Canaan meeting one-size-fits-all mandates from Hartford, including but not limited to the lack and expense of appropriate land, the cost of building sufficient affordable housing, and maintaining the small-town village feel of our town. The way to ensure New Canaan is represented well on this issue is to elect moderate Democrats to the state houses. Yes, moderate Democrats. Luckily, we have five such candidates running this year to represent New Canaan–Nick Simmons and Ceci Maher for State Senate, and Jason Bennett, Savet Constantine, and Lucy Dathan for the State House of Representatives.
The Democrat candidates for state office are committed to supporting necessary amendments to state housing laws to maintain local control of zoning decisions, while also ensuring we have adequate housing to meet very real needs in our community. Such amendments could include higher housing credit for 2- and 3-bedroom units; increased credit for dedicated senior housing; and basing affordable-housing qualification on area median income, which is generally higher than the current standard of state median income, to qualify for a moratorium.
Truth be told, there is not much daylight between the positions of the Democrat and Republican candidates on this issue. The difference is, our moderate Democrats have a seat at the table with the majority party. They can – and, in many cases, have – stopped legislation from proceeding to points that would negatively impact New Canaan’s ability to retain local control over zoning decisions. In a state where Democrats are admittedly a strong majority, fewer Democrats isn’t the answer – the answer is electing more moderate Democrats who can better influence members of their party. Vote Row A down the line to guarantee that New Canaan has the best representation in Hartford.
Hilary Ormond
