Growing Together CT

Why we came together

Connecticut lacks housing that allows families at all incomes to thrive, and too many communities are held back by disinvestment and a lack of equitable housing policies. Growing Together CT actively works to generate more housing choices everywhere and partners with under-resourced communities as they combat poverty and work toward equity. Together, these combined strategies will create a stronger, more environmentally sustainable, and equitable Connecticut.

How It Works

With rapid increases in rent and housing prices, Connecticut faces a housing crisis that is upending thousands of lives, creating family instability, holding children back from reaching their promise, and stunting the state’s economy. The 2025 Growing Together CT policy agenda will put us on the road to reversing Connecticut's housing crisis and supporting economic growth by Building Homes, Keeping Homes, and Stabilizing Families.

Build Homes

  • Towns Take the Lead Zoning Reform: Allow housing that is affordable for CT residents to be built all across the state with municipalities in the driver’s seat, supported by state guidance, with the Towns Take the Lead Planning and Zoning proposal.

Keep Homes

  • Just Cause Eviction: Ensure rental housing is a stable option where eviction is possible only with a good reason.

  • Address Collateral Consequences: Head off the collateral consequences of old and irrelevant criminal records in the rental application process.

Support CT Families

  • Homelessness Response: Support homelessness response with meaningful investment of $33.5 million.

  • Guard Against the Benefits Cliff: Change standards for state programs that assist low-income families so they aren’t denied all support after a minor income increase.

  • Child Tax Credit: Support CT families with a child tax credit.

     

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROPOSALS

Shanay

Fulton

"I know from personal experience how hard it can be to reach your potential when structural obstacles are in your way. Our goal should be to make every part of Connecticut a place of opportunity where children and families can thrive."

By the Numbers

76,000

Unfilled Jobs

The state of Connecticut has employment openings it can't fill, which require a growing population to remedy.

50%

of Renters Cost-Burdened

50 percent of Connecticut’s 470,000 renter households are considered cost-burdened or severely cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than half their income on housing.

3.5%

Growth

Connecticut's housing growth in the past 10 years is the fifth-worst in the nation.

Estela

Lopez

"A thriving community creates more opportunities for everyone. Better schools, more jobs, and wider horizons for the future. Together, we can empower families with more choices about where they live so every child in Connecticut can grow up in a healthy, thriving, and vibrant community."

News

From 'just cause' to zoning reform, these CT housing proposals move closer to becoming law

Alex Putterman | CT Insider

Following a marathon meeting Thursday lasting more than 12 hours, the Connecticut legislature's Housing Committee advanced several dozen bills on subjects ranging from tenant protections to zoning reform.

Many of the most significant proposals advanced largely along party lines, with Democrats supporting them and Republicans...

Read More

CT public hearing on eviction, zoning bills draws nearly 300 people

Ginny Monk | CT Mirror

Hundreds of people testified Tuesday on a slew of bills aimed at protecting Connecticut tenants, including measures to reform eviction law and others that would limit how much landlords can charge for a security deposit and what crimes can be considered when renters apply to...

Read More

Plan for affordable housing production would require municipalities to change zoning laws

Abigail Brone | Connecticut Public Radio

A proposed bill that would require Connecticut cities and towns to plan and zone for a set number of new housing units is gaining traction in Hartford.

The “Towns Take the Lead” bill is one of several proposed this legislative session by Growing Together...

Read More