Connecticut's 2021 Affordable Housing Conference Recap

Greetings,

Partnership for Strong Communities would like to thank all those who joined us at the second annual Connecticut Affordable Housing Conference. #CAHC2021 was a huge success! The conference featured 20 sessions which included 50 expert keynotes and panelists, and attracted 375 attendees from across the affordable housing sector and beyond. In addition to the folks working hand in hand on addressing affordable housing issues as members of HOMEConnecticut and in their respective organizations, we had attendees from the municipal level, state level, other sectors, and the general public. A big thank you to the 54 sponsors that helped make the CAHC free and open for all.

For those who couldn't make the conference or who missed a session or two--all sessions are now available on the Partnership YouTube channel.

Connecticut's 2021 Affordable Housing Conference Recap

Monday

We kicked off the conference with remarks from Governor Lamont followed by the third session of our IForum series which explored the ripple effect evictions have throughout individuals' lives and communities. We learned about impediments to fair housing and reducing barriers to integration, spotlighted the inaugural PSC Research Associates, heard from the organizers that led the campaign to tenant's right to counsel, and data and strategies for affordable housing preservation.

Governor Lamont-"Strong Affordable Housing will bring us Strong Communities."

Tuesday

Tuesday morning we started the day hearing critical national updates and call to action from Diane Yentel of NLIHC, followed by: a session focused on meeting the state's affordable and accessible housing needs; a spotlight on two projects creating affordable housing from commercial real estate; a robust housing focused legislative roundtable featuring Senator Lopes, Representative Zullo, Representative McGee, and Representative McCarthy Vahey; a presentation on the Housing and Community Development Leadership Institute; a case study on adapting historic structures into intentional communities; and finally a spotlight on a new mixed-use, mixed-income community in New Haven.

Diane Yentel-"There is nothing quite like a highly contagious and deadly disease to make clear that housing is healthcare--it always has been--and stable, safe, and accessible homes are a prerequisite to personal and public health."

Wednesday

The final day of the conference was opened by DOH Commissioner Mosquera-Bruno, followed by insightful and inspiring remarks from Nandini Natarajan of CHFA. We welcomed keynote speaker Richard Rothstein, author of The Color of Law which set the tone for a day focused on remedying institutional racism via housing policy. The rest of the day featured: an important session on the new Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Qualified Action plan; a discussion on how towns can meet their Fair Share of affordable housing; a presentation on incentives and programs for energy efficiency to improve affordability; a deep dive on the data around accessory dwelling units in Fairfield County; and lastly a workshop on addressing the racial wealth gap through a more equitable home buying system.

Author Richard Rothstein- "We need policies that change zoning laws to allow construction of low-income housing in high opportunity zones."

We greatly appreciate everyone's participation and support of this year's CAHC. Thank you for your interest, commitment, and work toward the goal of ensuring that every resident of Connecticut has access to a safe, stable home that is affordable to them, in an equitable community of their choice where they can thrive.

If you have any questions or feedback about your conference experience, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Thank you, and I hope you have a happy holiday.