Raghib Allie-Brennan

Today, I took to the House floor to speak on HB 5390, An Act Concerning Transit-Oriented Communities and the pressing issue of the housing crisis facing our state, particularly in places like Bethel and Danbury, where the need for affordable housing is critical.

As a young adult in my thirties, I understand firsthand the desire to own a home and the frustration people experience when that dream feels out of reach. I've heard from countless constituents—families, young people and seniors—who share similar struggles, and it's clear that addressing our housing crisis is paramount.

However, we must do so thoughtfully, while respecting local zoning decisions. Bethel has been a proactive partner in addressing housing needs, yet reaching the 10% affordable housing threshold mandated by Housing Law 8-30g remains an unattainable goal for many towns. Towns like Bethel, which are acting in good faith to address this issue, should not face punitive measures.

I applaud the proponents of this bill for their collaboration with myself and members of the moderate caucus to protect local zoning decisions. HB 5390 passed the House today, including my language seeking to strike a balance between addressing the housing crisis and respecting local autonomy. This includes provisions to grandfather towns with established transit-oriented districts, like Bethel, under existing zoning regulations and won’t be subject to additional guidelines, including as-of-right regulations. Additionally, I negotiated language that puts safeguards in place to prevent arbitrary decisions by the Office of Policy Management in designating a town as a transit-oriented community.

As a representative of Bethel and Danbury, as well as a member of the moderate caucus, I voted in favor of HB 5390. While I certainly do not agree with all provisions, I do so in good faith, believing that we are taking a solution-oriented and collaborative approach.