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HOMEConnecticut Statute:
The Connecticut Housing Program for
Economic Growth
During the 2007 legislative session, the HOMEConnecticut Campaign worked with state legislators and officials to pass a legislative proposal - the Connecticut Housing Program for Economic Growth will foster housing and economic growth based on responsible planning and local control. Housing affordability is a crucial element in Connecticut's efforts to remain economically competitive and preserve the quality of life that has drawn population and businesses to the state. The ability of the state to attract the workers, young professionals and investment necessary to provide jobs and revenues is clearly dependent on its ability to provide the range of housing opportunities and choices needed by a full spectrum of citizens. HOMEConnecticut's voluntary plan encourages participation by municipalities and provides a common sense method to increase the supply of such housing. It will provide revenues to the state that will far exceed its costs. Most importantly, it will allow Connecticut to compete with other states and regions that, faced with a similar shortage of housing affordable to workers, families, young professionals and the elderly, are already taking steps to meet the acute housing demand.
General Information About HOMEConnecticut Legislation Legislation laying out the requirements for the Housing Program for Economic Growth can be found in Chapter 124B (titled "Incentive Housing Zones"), Section 8-13m to 8-13x of the Connecticut General Statutes. Please Note: The statute was revised in 2009 to potentially limit the zoning and building permit incentive payments to "up to" $2000 per unit for the zone adoption payments and "up to" $2,000 or $5,000 for the building permit payments. The pdf linked to above reflects these changes; however, Chapter 124B on the CGS website does not reflect this change. Click here to read the sections that were amended. Click here to read a complete summary of the Housing Program for Economic Growth. Click here for a one-pager explaining How HOMEConnecticut Works. Also included in the original HOMEConnecticut legislation was authorization for a focused Blue Ribbon study of housing development barriers, additional incentives for municipalities, the need for rental assistance for low-income residents, and ways to improve state housing finance. Click here to visit the website of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Housing and Economic Development.
OPM Website & Program Policies The Office of Policy and Management has a page on their website dedicated to the Connecticut Housing Program for Economic Growth. Click here to visit the OPM site that houses information on technical assistance grants, a summary of the statute and its goals, and contact information for OPM program administrators. Click here to read the statement of policies regarding this program that was posted by OPM on October 14, 2009. The statement reflects the actions that OPM is taking to stretch the remaining program funds of approximately $1.5 million: -OPM will fund technical assistance grants of $20,000 to the 15 towns who submitted applications before OPM suspended the TA grant portion of the program in April 2009. -The zone adoption payment will now be up to $2,000 per unit. OPM stated that it will prioritize projects and determine funding amounts for zoning adoption payments based on whether a project meets the statutory requirements and how it meets "responsible growth goals."
The up to language reflects recent language changes made to the statute by OPM in HB7007, the General Government implementer; the changes allow the OPM Secretary greater flexibility in making zone adoption payments of up to $2,000 per unit and building permit payments of up to $2,000 or $5,000. For more information and assistance, contact OPM staff member Dimple Desai at 860-418-6412 or dimple.desai@ct.gov. Mr. Desai works in OPM's Intergovernmental Policy Division and oversees the Housing Program for Economic Growth.
Fact Sheets and Handouts Do you have questions about the new HOMEConnecticut statute, the Connecticut Housing Program for Economic Growth? If so, take a look at the fact sheets below: Want to know more about affordable housing and why we need it? Look at the fact sheets below: Please share this information with others who might be interested in this Program or in the need for more affordable housing in Connecticut.
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HOMEConnecticut Statute 
