A recent zoning meeting in Woodbridge, Connecticut, saw over 150 residents pack the room, forcing the commission to reverse its pro-housing reforms. The trigger was a 96-unit building approved for the New Haven border, with the developer bargaining down the affordable set-aside from 20 percent to 12 percent.

Housing Strategy Debate

The incident has sparked debate on the effectiveness of the current housing strategy, with some arguing that it is not a comprehensive solution. Justin Farmer, a Democratic candidate for State Representative in the 92nd District, believes that the current approach is flawed and that social housing is the way forward.

Farmer’s opponent, Eli Sabin, has proposed condo conversions as a solution, but Farmer argues that this approach is incomplete and could lead to further problems, such as speculators buying up buildings and displacing tenants. Instead, Farmer advocates for social housing, where rents are set by cost rather than market rates, and community land trusts.

Greta Blau, a co-founder of the Seramonte Tenants Union, shares her experience of working with Farmer and highlights the need for a new approach to housing. She believes that the current system is broken and that social housing can provide a solution.

Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.