Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Connecticut must fix its housing crisis

Amidst an overwhelming affordable housing crisis, Connecticut is ranked the worst place in the nation for renters.

As housing costs rise more quickly than incomes, the state has a shortage of over 92,000 homes affordable to low-income individuals and families, while over half of the state’s renters pay more than 30% of their monthly income on rent.

From our state’s aging housing stock to the housing vacancy rate of 3.5%, Connecticut is at a critical housing crisis point. While this past legislative session state leaders made progress on some incremental policy changes, families across our state still need and demand immediate and long-term solutions.

Organizations like ours have the responsibility to deepen our commitment to ensuring our neighbors can live in safe and stable housing. By combining our expertise, capacity, and resources, our organizations are focusing on regional housing solutions and working alongside groups that are directly impacted by our unhealthy housing system.

No county in Connecticut has enough affordable homes to meet the needs of its very-low income households. One-third of all subsidized housing in Connecticut needs to be accessible to residents who have a disability, especially seniors and others living with physical, ambulatory, and cognitive disabilities. Our communities need housing options that provide stability and safety to ensure stronger outcomes for children, families and individuals.

Together as partners in the Centers for Housing Opportunity (CHO), Local Initiatives Support Corporation Connecticut (LISC CT), Partnership for Strong Communities (The Partnership) and the Housing Collective support regionally responsive housing solutions with the technical expertise to see them implemented. Together with local community foundations and our regional partners in Fairfield County, Litchfield County and Eastern Connecticut, CHO is driving solutions to the housing crisis.

For the past several years the Housing Collective and the Partnership have been collaborating under the umbrella of CHO to engage regional stakeholders in the collaborative development and implementation of housing solutions to help meet each region’s specific housing challenges. Our two founding organizations are thrilled that LISC CT has now joined the team bringing expertise and capacity in lending and investment to bring housing projects to fruition.

Collectively we bridge the gap between locally responsive regional solutions and statewide policy to increase production, preservation, and protection of affordable housing statewide. Just recently, we kicked off a new acquisition loan fund that allows community-based organizations focused on housing in Litchfield County to find and acquire land or buildings to increase housing options.

In the coming months we will directly connect local projects to additional regional capital pools of seed funding; provide responsive technical assistance to towns to implement plans that aim to create more housing; facilitate peer learning networks across municipalities to encourage best practices and capacity building; and support resident leaders to engage in and lead their town’s housing discussions.

Jim Horan leads LISC Connecticut’s work. David Rich is the President and CEO of the Housing Collective. Chelsea Ross is the Executive Director of the Partnership for Strong Communities.

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Lakeville Journal and The Journal does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

Latest News

Sally Sterling Ellis Quale

Sally Sterling Ellis Quale

NORFOLK­ — Sally Sterling Ellis Quale, of Norfolk, Connecticut and St. Petersburg, Florida, formerly of Bronxville, New York, died unexpectedly of heart failure on July 7 at the age of 87.

Sally will be remembered for her deep commitment to her family and communities and for her warmth, kindness, intelligence, creativity …and, of course, for her beautiful smile and deliciously sweet sense of humor. She was a gentle leader, contributing her talents as a teacher, writer, musician, athlete and organizer.

Keep ReadingShow less

Dorothy McEnroe Casey

Dorothy McEnroe Casey

KENT­­ — Dorothy McEnroe Casey, 93, a longtime resident of Kent, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at New Milford Hospital in New Milford. Born on July 28, 1932 in Sharon, she was the daughter of the late Leo McEnroe, Sr. and Dorothy Belter McEnroe.

Mrs. Casey was a graduate of Amenia High School and a homemaker. On Dec. 1, 1951, at Immaculate Conception Church in Amenia, New York, she married John Finn Casey who died on April 17, 2006.

Keep ReadingShow less

Louise R. Black

Louise R. Black

MILLERTON — Louise R. Black, 86, born July 16, 1939, in Queens, New York, died on July 15, 2026, with her partner of 26 years, Mary Howard, by her side. She is also survived by her nephews David Black and Jason Black, and his wife, Kerri; and niece Tiffany Black and her husband, Shlomo Toledano.

After graduating from the University of North Carolina Women’s College and earning two master’s degrees, Louise taught physical education for 35 years at Scarsdale (NY) High School, chairing the department and serving as the first woman Athletic Director. An accomplished fencer, tennis player, and swimmer, Louise’s enduring fondness for sports included a love of the Brooklyn Dodgers, though she never quite recovered from their move to the West Coast.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Mary Simmons

Mary Simmons

MILLERTON — Mary Simmons, 96, a fifty‑six‑year resident of Millerton, New York, and formerly a lifelong native of College Point, Queens, New York, died peacefully on July 26, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Sharon, Connecticut. Mary devoted her life to her family; to know her was to love her.

Born July 15, 1930, in College Point, Queens, New York, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Sarah (Longo) Marano. On Oct. 26, 1952, in College Point, New York, she married Ray Daniel Simmons II. Their marriage lasted nearly sixty‑two years; Ray passed away on April 24, 2013. Mary was a longtime parishioner of St. Patrick’s and Immaculate Conception Churches, where she belonged to the Rosary Altar Society. For many years, she enjoyed spending winters in Florida with family and friends. Mary was famous for her Sunday macaroni dinners, which she lovingly prepared for her family and many dear friends throughout the years. All were welcomed, and it was always a packed house. Her greatest joy was spending time with her siblings, children, grandchildren, great‑grandchildren, and her large extended family. She will be deeply missed by all.

Keep ReadingShow less

Margaret Anita Layton

Margaret Anita Layton

STANFORDVILLE —Margaret Anita Layton passed away on April 30, 2026, after a recurring battle with cancer, surrounded by friends and loved ones. She was predeceased by her parents, Anita and Jack Egan, brother John P. Egan, III, and nephew Michael Egan. She leaves behind a brother, numerous nieces and a nephew, as well as a community of chosen sisters who loved her very much.

Margaret was born in the Bronx, New York, and moved to Clinton Corners as a small child. Margaret spent her adult life in Stanfordville, where she owned Margaret A. Layton, E.A. Tax and Business Consulting. Margaret was a lover of all animals and an avid horse enthusiast with an active presence in the draft horse community. Midge lived out loud. Her vibrancy left a mark that will never be forgotten and will be sorely missed.

Keep ReadingShow less

Join us for

Join us for


Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.