Some Ridgefielders scoffed at affordable housing plan, but experts say it's key to vibrant town

Now that a large number of municipalities in the state have sent in their affordable housing plans, experts are trying to dispel some misunderstandings and myths around what many believe affordable housing means. 

Christie Stewart, chief initiative officer at the Center for Housing Opportunity of the Housing Collective, a CT-based nonprofit agency focused on ending homelessness and creating equitable housing opportunities, said the town of Ridgefield, as well as other towns across the state, should rethink its "fairly strong opposition" over creating affordable housing units in town.

At an affordable housing meeting last summer, town officials expressed frustration and some, even anger, in regard to having to meet the plan’s requirements.

She added it's the goal of her organization to help municipalities come together around a vision for the future that everybody can agree on. 

"It's really hard. It takes time. It takes trust. It takes leadership on the ground," she said. "There isn't a one size fits all for this. The town needs be proactive in deciding what they want housing options to look like in Ridgefield."

Stewart said, in general, a large number of renters are not represented at land use decision making tables but play an essential role in communities.

"It's incumbent upon every town to make sure that the tables at which decisions about land use and housing development are made include a full representation of your community and not just single-family homeowners," she said.

Sean Ghio, a senior policy advisor at Partnership for Strong Communities, which leads statewide advocacy efforts on affordable housing, agreed with Stewart, saying the town of Ridgefield, as well as Fairfield County as a whole, has a responsibility to affordably house all its residents, including its renters.

He added in Ridgefield, 42 percent percent of renters are cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30 percent of household income on households. That equals nearly 600 Ridgefield renters. In Fairfield County, 52 percent of renters spend an unaffordable portion of their income on housing costs.

"All Fairfield County municipalities, including Ridgefield, have a responsibility to plan for that need," he said. 

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