Housing Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-5681
AN ACT CONCERNING MUNICIPAL OPPORTUNITY REIMBURSEMENT AND
Title: EDUCATIONAL EQUITY.
Vote Date: 3/11/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 2/18/2021
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:
Rep. Jason Rojas, District 9
REASONS FOR BILL:
Some towns in the state of Connecticut do not have a lot of affordable housing available.
When offered incentives to build more affordable housing, some towns have complied and
done so. This bill would provide another incentive for towns to do so.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Executive Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities Tanya Hughes-
Supports this bill in public testimony saying that it favored the concepts in the proposed bill
and wanted to see the language.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
State Representative Jason Rojas- Supports this bill in written testimony saying it will
encourage towns to adopt more inclusive zoning practices through incentives and will not be
a mandate on the towns.
Connecticut State Director Education Reform Now Connecticut Amy Dowell- Supports this
bill in written testimony saying it can make a long term impact on opportunity gaps in the
nation, as well as demonstrate that Connecticut supports forward thinking communities that
create opportunities for all working families and their children.
Executive Director Connecticut Council of Small Towns Betsy Gara- Supports this bill in
written testimony saying that promoting greater housing choice and economic diversity in
communities to help address racial disparities is a critical public policy goal.
Policy Director of Partnership for Strong Communities Sean Ghio- Supports this bill in written
in testimony saying the bill enables students from lower-income families to live in more
communities with high-performing, allow many Connecticut towns to benefit from a more
diverse community, and provide towns with well-documented economic gains of increased
housing options.
Executive Director School and State Finance Project Lisa Hammersley- Supports this bill in
written testimony saying this bill provides an incentive for communities that have not
historically invested in affordable housing to do so.
Executive Director for the Connecticut Association for Community Action Deb Polun-
Supports this bill in written testimony saying it will enhance the availability of affordable
housing, which in turn, will promote opportunities for educational and life success for low-
income people
Director of Policy, Research, and Government Relations for the Connecticut Education
Association Ray Rossomando- Supports this bill in written testimony saying it will offer
innovative incentives toward promoting diverse affordable housing options.
Director Fairfield County's Center for Housing Opportunity Christie Stewart- Supports this bill
in written testimony saying this bill will enable students from lower-income families to live in
more communities with high-performing schools, allow Connecticut towns to benefit from a
more diverse community, and provide towns with well-documented economic gains of
increased housing options.
President of Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Jay Williams- Supports this bill in written
testimony saying this bill would enable students from lower-income families to have access to
communities with higher-performing schools, create more diverse communities throughout
the state, and create significant economic benefits for towns by diversifying housing options.
Catherine Giff -Supports this bill in written testimony saying it links educational and
affordable housing opportunities which supports families so they can live in the towns their
children go to school in.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
The following Oppose this bill saying it takes away control over planning and zoning from
local municipalities:
Dr. Jeffrey Gordon-Oppose
Michael Levin-Oppose
Jackie Porco-Oppose
Robert Schott-Oppose
Reported by: Eddie Aledia Date: 3/24/21
Page 2 of 2 HB-5681


Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 10-285a
HSG Joint Favorable: 10-285a
File No. 148: 10-285a