From December 2020 to June 2021, Fairfield County Talks Housing:

• Hosted 13 events

• Convened 626 residents

• Convened 21 speakers

Organized by residents with support from Fairfield County’s Center for Housing Opportunity, Fairfield County Talks Housing brought communities together during the pandemic to have in-depth discussions on housing in their towns. These conversations expanded awareness about housing, particularly with regard to how housing policies and zoning laws can both provide and deny access to opportunity in our communities.

As Connecticut takes steps to make housing more accessible - like the recent passing of HB 6107 which legalized accessory dwelling units statewide - we must continue conversations about housing and how it can contribute to a more equitable, diverse, and economically thriving state. These conversations allow residents to engage in their communities’ planning process with a deeper understanding of both the housing needs and challenges in their towns. They offer a critical opportunity to bring residents together to identify shared values and explore potential policy options and changes that align with those values.

While the event series is on hiatus for the summer, Fairfield County’s Center for Housing Opportunity will relaunchFairfield County Talks Housing this fall.