Ask the Governor of Connecticut to veto Public Act 25-49 (HB-5002) on housing

Public Act 25-49, known as HB-5002, is a sweeping housing bill now awaiting the Governor's signature. We agree that Connecticut faces real housing challenges. But this bill replaces local planning with a single statewide formula, and small towns and cities would bear most of the cost.

The act asks the state to assign each municipality a fair share of affordable housing, using a method that does not account for limits such as water and wastewater capacity. Towns would then have to adopt policies to meet that number, draft an additional priority housing plan and seek state approval at every step. For small local governments with few staff, this is a heavy new layer of paperwork.

Other provisions go further. The bill bans minimum off-street parking requirements for developments of up to 24 units, weakening towns' ability to manage traffic and safety. It lets commercial lots be converted to two to nine unit housing as of right, even where towns are working to attract new businesses. And it exposes local planning commissions to attorney's fees when they appeal under the Affordable Housing Appeals Act, known as 8-30g.

Most worrying is the link to money. Eligibility for infrastructure grants would be prioritized by zoning compliance, so towns that cannot meet the mandate would drop to the bottom of the list for funds that pay for roads, water quality and wastewater.

We ask the Governor to veto the bill and bring towns to the table for a housing plan that respects local character and local budgets.