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05/24/2022 02:00 PMTown officials presented a draft of Guilford’s Affordable Housing Plan (AFP) to residents at a public hearing several week ago and in action taken at their May 16 meeting adopted the plan as presented. Officials were optimistic about what the plan might mean in terms of an increase in affordable units, while acknowledging the fact that Guilford, like almost every small municipality on the shoreline, has an low percentage of affordable units available for potential residents.
Though Guilford does have a higher number of affordable units than some neighboring towns, it still has just 2.4 percent of housing that is certified as affordable under state statute. The town would need to create more than 700 affordable units in order to reach the 10 percent goal mandated by the statute, according to figures presented at the meeting.
Connecticut General Statues, Title 8, Chapter 126a § 8-30j requires that every municipality in Connecticut prepare an affordable housing plan at least once every five years. The statute, which went into effect on July 24, 2017, provides that:
• At least once every five years, every municipality must prepare or amend and adopt an affordable housing plan.
• The plan must specify how the municipality intends to increase the number of affordable housing developments within the municipality.
• The municipality may hold public informational meetings or organize other activities to inform residents about the plan development process.
• The municipality must provide at least 35 days’ notice for a public hearing on adoption of the plan and must make the draft plan available to the public for review prior to such public hearing.
• Following adoption, the municipality must regularly review and maintain their affordable housing plan.
In a statement that accompanies the draft of the AFP, the town said, “In brief, we will formalize a housing committee, beginning with the community advocates already organized around affordable housing. We will build upon the plans and studies that have already been done and explore the ways to integrate these plans into the 2025 Plan of Conservation & Development as well as the zoning regulations. We have implemented a tax abatement for the development of affordable housing units and will continue to explore other means to support future development. We will continue to support the essential work of the Guilford Housing Authority as they provide for many of our senior and other vulnerable populations’ housing needs. We will continue to support low-income homeowners with housing rehabilitation assistance through our current federally funded Community Development Block Grant program. Lastly, we are committed to growing the inventory of assisted housing (currently at 230 units) including the completion of the Woodruff Affordable Housing Development, Great Hill Cottages, and the proposed Hubbard Road Affordable Housing Development.’
The town’s goals as presented by new Town Planner Jamie Stein were listed as follows:
• Preserve and maintain the town’s existing affordable housing stock.
• Continue addressing housing gaps by focusing on areas of affordable rental and ownership housing, supportive senior housing, housing for younger residents, and housing options that could support municipal employees and those who want to both live and work in town.
• Increase the diversity of residents in Guilford by ensuring availability of housing with a mix of housing types at a variety of price points.
• Provide housing options that support seniors who would like to remain in Guilford.
• Explore housing opportunities in areas served by infrastructure and transportation options with connections to nearby businesses, namely along the Route 1 corridor and in walkable neighborhoods within close proximity to the train station. New housing locations should avoid environmentally sensitive areas such as wetlands and floodplains, where possible.
• Use housing as a tool to continue to support younger family households and new millennial residents by providing a wider range of places to live and bringing more residents to the area to support local businesses.
• Diversify the town’s housing stock by supporting the development of accessory dwelling units, two- and three-family structures, townhomes, and condominiums that could offer opportunities for both homeownership and rental housing.
• Promote resident education, communication, and discussion about implementing the affordable housing plan.
At a previous BOS meeting, Selectman Charles Havrda, expressed concerns that despite Guilford’s efforts to construct more housing, the increase in the number of units hasn’t increased much in the last two decades.
“Years ago when I was on Planning & Zoning, that number of two percent of affordable units was the number back then, and it’s a little depressing to see we haven’t moved the needle that much. Even though the town has worked very hard trying to address it...it’s a percentage issue,” said Havrda.
The BOS unanimously adopted the plan at its May 16 meeting. First Selectman Matt Hoey said the Plan is not set in stone and will have to adapt and change as policies and variables of the housing market impact affordable housing.
“This is not a static document. This is a dynamic document, and as Jamie [Stein] said, we need to start to integrate some of these documents and these plans and allow them to rise to the level that informs the Plan of Conservation and Development. So, I think this clearly one of those opportunities going forward,” said Hoey. “Just because it is being submitted in the form and fashion it is today, doesn’t mean that in a week or next month doesn’t mean we can’t change it or enhance it to some degree.’
Havrda said that flexibility will be critical as needs and issues evolve and impact the plan.
“To Matt’s point that this needs to be a living, breathing plan, I think this is a great start and it has a lot of information. But the information will change and that is an important part of the program. I really compliment Jamie in putting this all together,” Havrda said.