Many Questions on Incentive Housing

What is incentive housing? What does it mean to Branford? What does it mean to the neighborhoods in which incentive housing may be built?

Branford's Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) sought approval for a state-sponsored incentive housing program that creates new zones in various areas of the town to allow for affordable housing. Town Planner Shirley Rasmussen testified at the July 1, 2011 Board of Selectmen meeting that the plan was developed by the state to provide affordable housing in towns such as Branford. The program is an incentive to prevent 25- to 30 year-olds from moving out of Connecticut. The exodus of young people is a problem, according to state officials, that is created by the high cost of housing in Connecticut and the high unemployment of individuals in this age group.

The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved Rasmussen's request to apply for state certification for the program. The next step is for the PZC to hold public meetings to approve the program and to change the zoning in the proposed locations in town.

There is a Thursday, Jan. 19 PZC meeting that will discuss this proposal. However, there are a number of questions that need to be answered before this proposal can be voted on by PZC. Will the unsold and unrented condos in town, at similar prices, be on the market for longer periods because these units are being built? Is affordable elderly housing or handicapped housing a better choice for our town? Where are these zones going to be created? How will the zones be selected? Will some of the more affluent neighborhoods help shoulder the burden? How will these zones affect surrounding property values?

It is important to understand the consequences of such programs on the neighborhoods and the town as a whole.

Joanne R. Pompano
Branford