In a significant development aimed at addressing the town’s affordable housing needs, New Canaan has officially launched the Affordable Housing Committee. This committee will play a pivotal role in expanding and retaining affordable housing in New Canaan.
At Tuesday’s Board of Selectmen meeting, Steve Karl and Tom Butterworth, presented an update on the Affordable Housing Committee’s formation and its mission. Karl began by acknowledging the lengthy process that led to this point, dating back to January. He expressed excitement about the committee’s formation and its potential to address the town’s affordable housing challenges.
Tom Butterworth provided insight into the committee’s origins, explaining that it was established following an ordinance passed by the Town Council in February. “It’s a pleasure to be here to witness the launch of the Affordable Housing Committee. The ordinance reflects the hard works of the bylaws and ordinances committee members, Cristina Ross, Maria Naughton, Rita Bettino, Mark Grzymski, Kimberly Norton, and especially my co-chair, Hilary Ormond.”
Mr. Butterworth also shared a compelling story about a concerned neighbor who had raised questions about housing developments in the town, highlighting the need for greater local control. The committee’s main objectives are to explore how to expand affordable housing in New Canaan and to retain local control using the 830-G moratorium process.
“It’s a pleasure to be here to witness the launch of the Affordable Housing Committee.”
The committee will be composed of nine members, including five at-large members, one representative each from Planning and Zoning, the Housing Authority, the Town Council, and the Board of Finance. This diverse composition aims to ensure a comprehensive and collaborative approach to addressing affordable housing issues in the town.
Mr. Karl added: “The reason that we set it up that way was to try to give this committee a lot of bandwidth and the ability to draw from all of those major committees we have in town. It allows better communication throughout the whole town and the way things work. We’re hopeful that those members will serve on this committee and then report back to their respective organizations in town and get a better flow of communication.”
He emphasized that the committee’s formation reinforces New Canaan’s commitment to affordable housing, building upon a history of successful projects in this regard. He mentioned the vital role played by Scott Hobbs in advancing affordable housing initiatives.
When questioned about the committee’s budget, both Karl and Butterworth highlighted that funding would be necessary for property acquisition and potential consultants. However, they emphasized that specific budget figures were yet to be determined.
The Affordable Housing Committee’s mission is to collaborate with the Housing Authority and other relevant bodies to increase the number of affordable housing units in New Canaan. In the coming year, the committee aims to educate the public about ongoing affordable housing developments and present a plan for addressing the town’s housing needs.
Selectman Kathleen Corbet expressed her gratitude to Steve Karl, Tom Butterworth, and the Town Council for their efforts in establishing the committee. She inquired about the process for appointing committee members, especially if members from the represented bodies change over time. Karl explained that appointments would follow the regular process, and if a member left their respective body, a replacement would be appointed accordingly.
First Selectman Kevin Moynihan raised a technical point, suggesting that committee members should be electors, not just residents, emphasizing the importance of registered voters.
The launch of the Affordable Housing Committee marks a significant step in New Canaan’s ongoing commitment to addressing the challenges of affordable housing. As the committee begins its work, it is expected to play a vital role in shaping the future of housing in the town. Community members are encouraged to stay engaged and provide input as this critical initiative moves forward.
