By Sarah Opdahl

The Housing Opportunities Committee (HOC) met on Tuesday, November 4. It was explained that they are working on a survey that will deploy after each “road show” they complete. The road shows, which provide a chance for the HOC to give updates on their efforts, are starting to get more traction, with some scheduled in the coming months and more invitations being issued to groups in town, such as the Permanent Building Committee, the Economic Development Commission, and the Library Board. HOC members plan to send out letters in January to a large number of groups offering to present a road show. They will follow up with any personal contacts they have on each board, commission, etc. They are also planning to offer refreshments at the road shows.

There are hopes that the aforementioned surveys, which will include a wide range of questions about housing, will help to engage participants and gather information. There was a good amount of discussion about how the survey works, especially the need to add a not applicable option to the multiple choice answer. The HOC will review the survey and further discuss it at their December meeting. The last survey they issued was in 2023 and is still considered “pretty current” in terms of Town-wide housing needs.

HOC Chair Ms. Anita Brown explained that she drafted a letter to Governor Lamont regarding a

special session that was planned for November 12 and 13 to engage in a compromise on the affordable housing bill that’s in limbo at the state level. The letter says, “we are working diligently to inform our New Fairfield residents of the needs for opportunities for housing that are affordable in our Town, by collaborating with Planning, Zoning, and the Board of Selectmen, who have unanimously adopted our Housing Affordability Plan in August of 2024.” Brown went on, “We support efforts through House Bill 502 to ensure that our town moves forward with local dialogue and consensus to meet the housing needs of our residents.” HOC members praised the letter, voted to approve sending it, and pointed out that it made sense to carbon copy local state representatives.

 The New Fairfield Housing Trust was a topic of conversation as their meeting has once again moved, this time to December. There was a recent housing forum that the Commission on Aging held in October, at which a couple of people expressed interest in joining the Trust.

The next regular Housing Opportunities Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, 7:30 p.m.