The newly passed legislation establishes a new state and regional framework and funding process to help CT’s towns and cities build more homes in smart places, particularly along transit corridors, to help address the state’s crippling housing shortage.
HARTFORD, CT — NOVEMBER 13, 2025 — Regional Plan Association (RPA) and DesegregateCT were in Hartford today to witness the Connecticut state legislature’s 2025 special session, particularly the negotiations to pass the new version of HB 5002 which Governor Lamont vetoed after its passage at the end of last session. Together, RPA and DesegregateCT commend Governor Lamont for keeping his word to both hold a special session and passing this new pro-homes legislation, HB 8002.
“RPA supports the passage of HB 8002 and thanks Governor Lamont for honoring his commitment to bring it back via special session,” said Tom Wright, President and CEO of RPA. “HB 8002 provides a new framework for building more homes, including State technical support and funding to help communities build supportive infrastructure and limiting parking requirements that prevent communities from meeting their housing needs.”
Both RPA and DesegregateCT support this bill because it advances our core belief that building State planning capacity and empowering local pro-homes advocacy is vital to address Connecticut’s housing shortage and climate crisis. Specifically, we commend the provisions that retain the core of Work Live Ride.
“We have always believed that State planning capacity combined with the passion of local pro-homes leaders is the best way to get our state out of this housing shortage,” said Pete Harrison, Connecticut Director at RPA. “With the passage of HB 8002, we’re now able to focus on both strategies and look forward to building on this milestone with concrete state and local action to follow. Though this process was harder than it should have been, it’s helped us form new partnerships with groups in and out of government that share our pro-homes vision for Connecticut. We look forward to working with all stakeholders on building a more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable Connecticut.”
“Though we are pleased with the progress won under HB 8002, there is much to still be done,” said Nick Kantor, Program Director at Desegregate CT. “This legislation should include greater commitments to ending homelessness, increasing rental assistance, protecting homerenters, offering more homeownership models, and building deeply affordable permanent social housing. While building on the momentum from HB 8002, we’ll be coming back with our partners to push for more immediate help for people struggling with housing costs in Connecticut.”
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About Desegregate Connecticut
Formed in June 2020, DesegregateCT is a pro-homes coalition of neighbors and nonprofits fighting for better land use laws to make Connecticut more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable. For more information, please visit desegregatect.org
About Regional Plan Association
Regional Plan Association (RPA) is an independent non-profit organization that conducts research, planning and advocacy to expand economic opportunity, environmental resiliency, improved health, and better quality of life in the New York metropolitan area. Since the 1920s, RPA has produced four landmark plans for the region. The most recent was released in November 2017. For more information, please visit www.rpa.org.
