Housing Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-194
Title: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A RIGHT TO HOUSING.
Vote Date: 3/9/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 3/4/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Sen. Saud Anwar, District 3
REASONS FOR BILL:
In order to address the homeless population, this bill seeks to establish a right to housing by
giving residents a right to protection from housing loss, safe and stable housing, affordable
housing, rehousing, and recognition of special circumstances. A housing committee will be
formed to ensure future policies work to ensure these rights, as well as review previous
housing policies.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Meg Stellini, Fellow of the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity-
supports this bill in its goal to hold agencies accountable for crafting policies that address
housing inequality. She believes that the state of Connecticut must work to provide housing
opportunities to vulnerable residents.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Stacey Cote, Director of Operations at the Center for Children's Advocacy- SUPPORTS
stating that housing is a critical human need. By forcing the state to consider housing
inequality and access in future policies, the bill "provides added impetus" for other policies
that decrease homelessness.
Suzi Craig, Chief Strategy Officer at Mental Health Connecticut- SUPPORTS stating the bill
identifies shortcomings in policies that prevent vulnerable people from gaining access to
housing.
Kellyann Day, CEO of New Reach- SUPPORTS stating the bill begins a conversation about
future policies. Connecticut lacks 87,000 units of housing for low-income residents, and SB
194 begins to address the inequity and injustice that this lack creates.
Sarah Fox, Director of Policy for the CT Coalition to End Homelessness- SUPPORTS
stating that there are 2,904 people experiencing homelessness in the state, despite being
one of the wealthiest states in the country. Connecticut has the 10th highest housing costs in
the country, in part due to a lack of affordable rental options.
Rachel Givens- SUPPORTS stating the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionally affected
people experiencing homelessness. Statewide, nearly 124,000 renters give more than half
their income to rent. SB 194 aids these impacted populations.
Aparajita Kaphe- SUPPORTS stating the bill is fiscally responsible. A person without a
home costs the state $33,000 a year, while a family without a home costs $120,000 a year.
By providing support, the state can limit these costs.
Kelly McConney Moore, Interim Senior Policy Counsel for the ACLU-CT- SUPPORTS
stating the establishment of a right to housing is a positive first step to address housing
inequity, especially for BIPOC and justice-impacted persons. Formerly incarcerated
individuals are ten times more likely to be homeless, while BIPOC people also face rates of
homelessness that are higher than the general population. She also states she would like to
see enforceable provisions to make housing "real and tangible for people who desperately
need it."
Shanice Morris- SUPPORTS stating the bill would ensure policies that combat
homelessness. She believes that no one should undergo trauma like homelessness. She
also states that the committee formed by the bill should highlight BIPOC voices.
Raphael Podolsky, Attorney and Policy Advocate for Connecticut Legal Services-
SUPPORTS stating the bill represents a positive step forward by creating a framework to
guide future policy.
Gina Rosich, PhD, MSW, National Association of Social Workers- CT Chapter- SUPPORTS
stating housing insecurity is an economic issue. She disagrees that the bill is a slippery
slope, but instead provides regulatory mechanisms to support the goal of affordable housing.
The following support SB 194, stating the legislation would support victims of domestic
violence and children have access to safe housing options in the future:
Liza Andrews, Director of Public Policy & Communications at the Connecticut Coalition
Against Domestic Violence
Caroline Beltre
Shana Hurley
Erin Sheehan- CT Voices for Children
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The following people expressed support for SB 194, stating there is a moral commitment to
a fundamental human right to housing. Housing is necessary for achieving a right to life and a
pursuit of happiness:
Sherry Chen
Deborah L. Brody
Richard Cardoso
Theo Haaks
Margaret Middleton, Executive Director of Journey Home
Marianna Rodriguez, Program Director for Family Promise of Central CT
The following people expressed support for SB 194, highlighting the positive effects housing
equality has on public health:
Loirraina Chen
Connecticut Fair Housing Center
Seema Doshi
Raymond Fang, Yale Law School Housing Clinic
Danya Keene- Associate Professor, Yale School of Public Health
Jennifer Paradis- Executive Director, Beth-El Center, Inc
Ann Sarnak, Yale Law School Housing Clinic
Mahira Tawina
Clarkin Upshaw-Clarkin
Mael Clarke-Martin
Aaron Clarke-Martin
Courtney Clarkin
Suzanna Brown- Co-Director of the Yale Hunger and Homelessness Action Project
Christian A. Clarkin
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Elaine M. Louden
Lily Kofke
Sephanie Vazquez
Sunny Light
Jocelyn Dorney
Sreeja Kondeti
Zoe Novic
Leah Robinson
Alexandria Bode
Abagail Waugh
Victoria Isabel Quintanilla
Lakai Legg
Jaelen King
Diego Fernandez-Pages
Larissa Nguyen
Jad A. Elharake
Shamsa Kolb
Erica Lin
Nicole Sanchez Astumpuma
Chika Ogbejesi
Isaac Yearwood
Crystal Kong
Tess Buschmann
Dr. Carolyn Roberts
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John Kolb
Naomi Knight
Megan Pinaire
Alexis Hopkins
Hui Yee Diong
Miranda Rector
Brooke Harris
Will DeMott
Anna Jennings
Tony Upshaw
Dottie Upsahw
Seema Doshi
Hannah Sproch
Rachel Givens
Mariah Chadukiewicz
Victoria Damore
Sarah Smith
Samara Johnson
Nancy H. Covell
David Ernst
Caroline Karabeinikoff
Laura Perrone
Shannon Hall
Caitlyn Malenfant
Megan Villanova
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Margaret Blume
David Givens
Kailey Boisquet
Susan Hopkins
Claudette Kidd
Emma Lo, MD, Yale Hospital
Megan Corning
Iyanna Latimer
Keren Paquette
Madison Alexander
July Leon
Elaine Matt
Emma Heintz
Rev. David Horst, New London Homeless Hospitality Center
Amanda Sullivan
Allison D'Alusio
Greg Catalano
Lana Delsanta
Elnara Klicheva
Paulette Fox
Shannon Hall
Sarah Morey
Michelle Lipar
Julia Duguay
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Kevin Sullivan
Sara Ofner-Seals
Roy D Givens
Laura Mutrie
Shannon O'Malley, MD
Doran Wright
Ben Fink
Brandi A. Kennedy
Sarah Abromley
Melissa Watts
Rachel Hennein
Marie-Claire Meadows
Haley Case
Rebecca Schwarz
Paige Farrenkopf
Caroline Magee
Matthew Benczkowski
Ramona Myers
Lana Delsanta
Courtney Doty
Cyrstal Ruiz
Eva Graf
Robert Howard
Serena Ly
Jessica lee
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Alysia M. Mascolo
Deanna Deshpande, LMSW
Jaime Parker
Celina Fernandez-Ayala
Samuel Oguntoyinbo
Kathleen Malison
Kyndall Donalson
Taylor Tucker
Caroline Beltre
Jocelyn Theriault
David Gonzalez Rice, PhD
Dean Alexander
Lee Walsh, Community Engagement Specialist at the Columbus House, Inc.
Rebecca Shaw
David Morgan- President/CEO TEAM Inc
Kaylee Hale
Danielle Givens
Catherine Casey
Brianna Fenn
Emily Goodwin
Shannon Carter
Durel Crosby
Doran Wright- Pastor, Neighborhood Church Black Rock
The following people expressed support for SB 194:
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Danielle Angelone
Tiernan Cabot
Richard Cardoso
Nicole Faria
Grace Furia
Hannah Ganey
Molly Hall
Jenna
Milena Leonidas
Megan Levan
Cate Mancini
Bridgett McGann
Molly
Matthew Morgan
Claire O'Brien
Maddie O'Toole
Maya Palanki
Olivia Pillow
Reed Schwartz, Policy Director for the Wesleyan Democrats
Lauren Shilansky
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
The Connecticut Council of Municipalities- OPPOSES AS WRITTEN stating that while they
support the intent of the bill, they fear it is vaguely written. This lack of clarity could lead to
unfunded mandates.
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Rhonda Leonard- OPPOSES stating agencies already exist to support housing rights, a
new committee would be redundant. She believes the state should instead focus expanding
affordable housing options in suburban communities.
Eric Rogers, CT Association of Real Estate Investors, CT Property Owners Alliance, CT
Coalition of Property Owners- OPPOSES AS WRITTEN stating that proposed housing
committee does not provide enough representation for property holders and other
stakeholders. Furthermore, he states that a right to housing should not override other, pre-
existing rights.
Nawaz Shaikh- OPPOSES stating that SB 194 would take away rights from landlords, as
well as make it more difficult for property owners to create intergenerational wealth.
The following people expressed opposition to SB 194, stating that the bill would raise costs
for landlords:
David Haberfield
Paul Januszewski, President of the Greater Enfield Landlord Association
The following people expressed opposition to SB 194, stating that it is biased against
landlords in favor of tenants, and protects irresponsible renters:
Freeman and Co.
Marie Matta-Isona, Broker for iVision Real Estate
The following people expressed opposition to SB 194:
Charles
Tara Ramlal
Jacob Reily
Ana Ughetti
Leigh Zeeman- Realtor
Reported by: Gabriel Turco Date: 3/17/21
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