HARTFORD – Reaction was mixed Monday as Gov. Ned Lamont vetoed HB 5002, an act concerning housing and the needs of homeless persons by lowering housing costs, increase housing options and better support homeless persons.
Lamont, a Democrat, explained his reasoning for the veto in a press conference Monday.
“Reluctantly, I am going to veto that bill,” Lamont said. “I’m going to tell you why it’s reluctant. The bill makes a really good start for a really big problem facing our state. When it comes to jobs, economic growth, affordability, a lot of that comes back to the high price of housing. How zoning and the permitting process can drive up the price in the amount of time it takes to get the job done. We pay a terrible price for that in this state.”
“We can do better. We will do better. We’re going to have a better bill. I would like to see that bill back on my desk in a special session this fall. I think if housing to continue growing it has to be led by our towns. It has to be led by our first selectmen, our mayors.”
Democratic leadership was not happy with the governor’s decision.
“We are deeply disappointed that Governor Lamont has chosen to veto the most comprehensive effort to tackle Connecticut’s urgent housing crisis,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “Connecticut cannot create jobs, lower costs, and attract businesses without building more housing.
“We have collaborated with Governor Lamont on many issues, including this bill, and we look forward to a continued partnership. The Governor earnestly believes he can get municipal officials and their interest groups to agree to a strong bill. When that happens, we look forward to seeing the proposal.”
On the other hand, the state Republican leadership applauded Lamont’s action.
“Let’s now go back to the drawing board, work together across the aisle and find real bipartisan solutions that address housing affordability — without gutting local control,” said Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding (R-Brookfield). “Our towns and cities deserve a seat at the table — not a mandate from Hartford.”
One town that backs the governor’s veto is Fairfield, where First Selectman Bill Gerber spoke about the impact the bill would have had on the housing shortage in municipalities.
“I understand that the shortage of housing units and dearth of housing choices is a crisis that must be solved,” Gerber said. “Ultimately this state of affairs, if allowed to continue unalleviated, will hurt the ability of our towns and state to compete for talented workers and remain economically vibrant. Our town is committed to thoughtful, inclusive planning that meets housing needs while preserving environmental sustainability and local decision-making.”
He said the Town of Fairfield will continue to work with state leaders, residents, and developers to find balanced housing solutions while maintaining local governance.
“I appreciate Governor Lamont’s willingness to work with towns that identify sites that we believe are suitable for housing development, and to assist us in realizing the potential of these properties,” Gerber added. “The governor’s veto acknowledges the importance of growth guided by people who know their communities best.”
As an example of the positive impact from affordable housing development, Gerber offered the following. “Fairfielders were concerned when GE sold its Fairfield headquarters to Sacred Heart University, taking approximately $56 million of real estate value off the Grand list, and leaving a $1.6 million tax revenue hole,” he explained.
“Not everyone understands that since then, Fairfield has added $2.4 million of new annual tax revenue stemming from four housing developments: The Trademark (1401 Kings Highway); Alto (1401 Kings Highway); The Anchorage (9333 Unquowa Road) and Fairchild Apartments (130 Fairchild Avenue).”
Housing advocates such as the Regional Planning Association and its DesegrateCT program were not enamored with the governor’s decision while the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) were elated.
“We are deeply disappointed that Governor Lamont has vetoed H.B. 5002,” DesegregateCT said in a statement. “This bill represents years of work from legislators, advocates, local leaders, everyday citizens, and indeed, the governor’s own staff to address the housing shortage and climate crisis in our state after many years of inaction and dithering. H.B. 5002 represented an important step forward, but instead we are moving back.
“Every day we wait as a state to act, another teacher, firefighter, or nurse can’t find a home; another new graduate or skilled worker leaves the state; another neighbor is pushed into homelessness; and another job remains unfilled.”
Open Communities Alliance (OCA), a Connecticut-based nonprofit that focusrsd on reversing housing segregation, expressed deep dismay at Lamont’s decision to veto HB 5002.
“Towns Take the Lead and HB 5002 were the result of years of hard work and compromise,” said Erin Boggs, executive director of OCA. “We are profoundly disheartened by the governor’s decision to once again leave families struggling to afford housing in Connecticut with fewer options.”
The CCM applauded the governor’s veto of HB 5002. His decision underscores the importance of thoughtful, inclusive policymaking that respects the role of local governments in shaping housing solutions that work for their unique communities, they said.
“Connecticut’s cities and towns recognize the urgent need to expand housing opportunities across the state,” according to a statement. “We are committed to working collaboratively with the administration, the General Assembly, and housing advocates to craft viable, balanced solutions that promote affordability, equity, and growth; while ensuring the voices of local officials and residents remain central in the process.”
