Politics & Government

Affordable Housing Push Moves Forward in Fairfield

The Board of Selectmen OK'd the Affordable Housing Committee's request to apply for a state grant to augment their resources in developing an updated housing plan.

The push to provide more affordable housing in Fairfield continues.

The Board of Selectmen approved on Wednesday he Affordable Housing Committee's request to apply for a state grant to help fund the research necessary to update the town's affordable housing plan.

Last month, members of the committee -- including Fairfield's Community and Economic Development Director Mark Barnhart -- told the selectmen that it is time to update the town's 25-year-old housing plan.

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While the town has made progress in expanding its affordable housing inventory over the past 25 years, Barnhart said, there still remains an income gap between the town's median household income and a medium-priced home in Fairfield.

Additionally, the town has yet to meet the state's 10-percent threshold for low-income housing. Only 2.69 percent --353 unites -- of the town's housing meets the criteria.

Find out what's happening in Fairfieldwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The grant the committee seeks is part of Connecticut's Housing for Economic Growth Program. Any funding from that grant would go toward conducting surveys, holding public forums, putting together the research, and analyzing the data that will help shape a new affordable housing plan.

"The purpose of [applying for the grant] is to augment resources we already have in-house," Barnhart said. The funds would be used to hire some outside help to assist staff and committee with collecting the materials and information needed to update the plan.

As it stands, "we have some limitations on our staff and resources," Barnhart said.

He added that it is "fairly likely" Fairfield would be awarded some money from the Housing for Economic Growth Program, given the town's willingness to revamp its housing plan.

"Affordable housing is very important and greatly needed," committee chair Steve Grathwohl told the board. "We will need extra resources to fulfill our committee's charge."

The committee will bring the request to apply for the grant before the RTM later this month.


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