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RENTAL ASSISTANCE
(h.B. 5108)
The state Rental Assistance Program (RAP) assists families
facing crushing housing costs to pay the rent, while helping
struggling landlords to maintain decent properties. In the face
of cutbacks to the federal Section 8 housing voucher program,
Connecticut should restore funding to the RAP program and return
to its prior service level of 2600 families.
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STATE HOUSING TAX CREDIT
(S.B 299)
Connecticut should expand its popular, effective program of tax
incentives to businesses that contribute to nonprofit-sponsored
affordable housing. In 2005, $5 million in tax credit awards
will leverage $74.3 million total housing development activity
producing 391 new units. In 2006, tax credits should be expanded
to $10 million to meet urgent needs, including workforce housing
and supportive housing for people with disabilities.
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PUBLIC HOUSING REVITALIZATION
(H.B. 5458/S.B. 52)
Public housing revitalization plans must protect current
residents and preserve the inventory for those on waiting lists.
Capital financing must be available to local housing authorities
for both urgent repairs and long-term revitalization that
creates mixed-use, mixed-income communities while maintaining
affordability.
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PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS
(S.B. 387)
Assessment methods for the valuation of government-assisted
affordable housing must be fair and consistent. Assessments
should be based upon actual net operating income, and should not
include subsidized financing, grants or tax credits used for the
development of the housing.
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ELDERLY/DISABLED MIXED POPULATIONS
(S.B. 357)
People with disabilities living in elderly/disabled
public housing must have adequate housing options, with no
restrictions on their access to public housing and services
available to address challenges arising in mixed population
settings.
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AFFORDABLE HOUSING APPEALS PROCEDURE
(S.B. 672)
The Affordable Housing Appeals Procedure (C.G.S. Sec. 8-30g) is
our strongest legal tool to overcome exclusionary zoning. The
law has worked well, and the changes adopted in 2000
appropriately addressed critics’ concerns. Any effort to weaken
this historic statute, such as S.B. 672, should be rejected.
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