Housing Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6436
Title: AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE OPEN CHOICE VOUCHERS PILOT PROGRAM.
Vote Date: 3/9/2021
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. Michael Winkler, District 56
Rep. Jason Rojas, District 9
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill is meant help parents move to the higher opportunity communities in which their child
is educated by providing ten additional housing vouchers per year for two years.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Executive Director of the Commission On Human Rights Tanya Hughes- Supports this bill
because it would allow children and families to be a part of the community in which they are
being educated.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
House Majority Leader Rep. Jason Rojas- Supports this bill because it will help correct the
historic racial inequities in housing by allowing families who live in areas with limited
educational opportunity to attend higher resource schools.
Partnership For Strong Communities Policy Director Sean Ghio- Supports this bill because it
would enable families to connect with the community their child is being educated and
alleviate issues such as long bus rides and inability to participate in after school activities.
Director of the CREC Kristina Jordan- Supports this bill because it would help families move
to higher opportunity communities.
Executive Director of the CFHC Erin Kemple- Supports this bill because it would give
freedom, mobility, and real housing choice to Housing Choice Voucher holders while also
promoting integration. The organization believes that expanded housing authority jurisdiction
would reduce the administrative barriers to housing choice for voucher holders and reduce
concentrated poverty.
Anika Lemar- Supports this bill because it would advance housing equity
Raphael Podolsky of Connecticut Legal Services Advancing Justice- Supports this bill
because it would give low-income families and opportunity to relocate to the community in
which their child is being educated.
Director of the CEA Ray Rossomando- Supports this bill because it would offer innovative
incentives toward promoting diverse affordable housing options
Director of Fairfield County's Center For Housing Opportunity Christie Stewart- Supports this
bill because it would enable families to connect with the community their child is being
educated and alleviate issues such as long bus rides and inability to participate in after
school activities.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None
Reported by: Eddie Aledia Date: 3/22/21
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