Desegregate Connecticut rallies for housing

Ahead of the current legislative session in Hartford officials gathered at the Connecticut Legislative Office Building on Feb 15 to promote their “Work Live Ride” proposal.

Desegregate Connecticut, a coalition pushing for more housing and improved city planning through revamping land use policy is a program of the Regional Plan Association (RPA). The RPA, based in New York City advocates for urbanist solutions throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

“This was another impactful and productive milestone for Work Live Ride, and attendance today showcased the widespread support for our initiatives, and the opportunities that arise when we invest in affordable housing and climate solutions,” said Pete Harrison, director of Desegregate Connecticut in a statement after the event. “Now is the time to secure a sustainable future for communities throughout the state and establish a blueprint for what can be accomplished nationwide.”

He was joined by state legislators and Bloomfield Mayor Danielle C. Wong, who also spoke at the event.

“As a Mayor, I’ve seen firsthand how transit-oriented planning benefits communities. Municipalities today need now, more than ever, state resources and support for planning.   Work Live Ride and the advocacy to build more transit Oriented Communities helps to address our state’s housing crisis, enables our workforce and allows our towns and cities to plan ahead for our futures,” Wong said.

Desegregate Connecticut has named several pieces of legislation as top priorities.

SB 0143, which expands protections against no-cause evictions for renters in complexes with more than five housing units; HB 5174, which allows religious organizations to establish temporary housing units on property they own; and provisions in the Governor’s budget that would allocate further funding for the Renters Assistance Program.