An effort to increase new housing near transportation hubs across 黑料吃瓜网 failed to make it past the state Senate at the legislative session鈥檚 close.
The 鈥溾�� bill would create financial incentives for cities and towns that develop new affordable housing along main bus and rail stops. It was proposed by housing advocacy nonprofit Desegregate 黑料吃瓜网.
Pete Harrison, former director of Desegregate CT, said the legislative session was still a success.
鈥淔rom the larger perspective of winning this argument that the housing crisis and climate crisis are one in the same and we need dramatic action at the state level,鈥� Harrison said. 鈥淚 think we're winning that argument.鈥�
The bill was designed to increase affordable housing by establishing special districts to increase housing supply near transit hubs.
It would also legalize new, efficient housing choices like starter homes and give communities money to boost affordable housing production.
Many residents are supportive of the bill, but legislators are holding it back, Harrison said.
鈥淚t's that translation from the lived experience of constituents into the halls of power, we're making progress there. It's still a frustrating process,鈥� Harrison said.
State House lawmakers approved the 鈥淲ork, Live, Ride,鈥� bill, but it was a victim of the lengthy Senate discussion process and a late-night filibuster, according to Democratic State Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw, who represents Avon.
鈥淭he Senate calendar and how it ran this year, there were a lot of longer debates,鈥� Kavros DeGraw said. 鈥淭here were many bills that had, went five and six hours. And so I think that it really was more of a time thing.鈥�
The bulk of the bill was approved last year. It established the state鈥檚 which heads up the state鈥檚 revitalization, conservation and development efforts.
This year鈥檚 version of the bill is focused on the community guidelines of transit oriented developments, increasing environmental protections and paving the way for more affordable housing development.
Harrison and DeGraw said they intend to revive the bill in the next legislative session.
