By Sarah Opdahl

On Tuesday, October 1, New Farifield’s Housing Opportunities Committee (HOC or Committee) discussed plans for future outreach. Now that the Affordable Housing Plan (Plan) was adopted, they are shifting efforts to help realize the goals in the Plan, ideally with the help of the New Fairfield Housing Trust and in the wake of the Zoning Commission’s rewrite of town regulations. The biggest goal is to support having more small, affordable homes that can serve as either starter homes or homes for people looking to downsize. They are looking forwa rd to hosting a booth at New Fairfield Day on Sunday, October 19.

Chair Ms. Anita Brown reported that she attended the Litchfield County Housing Affordability Summit and was happy to see presentations on completed affordable housing plans in fifteen local towns. The HOC  went into great detail on the projects that are completed or in progress and they highlighted the roles that the towns and resident volunteers serve in the process. There was also a panel including state representatives who discussed funds that are soon available to support the efforts of towns in moving forward on affordable housing. She looks forward to attending another small summit, the Partnership for Small Communities, in November. 

There was a brief discussion about con gregate housing, which is basically subsidized senior housing in Bethel and Ridgefield. Congregate facilities rents are scaled based on income, and there are meals and light housekeeping provided, which makes them similar to assisted living, Ms. Kathy Hull explained.  Anyone can apply to those facilities, she said, though she is unsure of the waiting list length.

Brown discussed the need to create a Mission Statement as part of the budget process and explained that she will work on identifying goals and strategies for the Committee. She plans to keep the Mission Statement very light. They discussed possible budgetary requests, including advertising, signage, and ancillary items, such as balloons.

HOC members brainstormed ways to help increase membership in the Housing Trust, including possibly contacting people who were previously interested in the work that the HOC was undertaking or who were seeking affordable housing options. The Housing Trust will be highly instrumental in future efforts.

The next Housing Opportunities Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, November 12, 7:30 p.m.