Housing Pilot Program and a land grant are big wins for New Haven. Plus, two important pieces of legislation have been signed into law

July 17, 2025


 

I'm writing to share some legislative updates from the past week. The Urban Investment Initiative Pilot Program and the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant are both wins for New Haven. Plus, two important pieces of legislation have been signed into law:

  1. Mental Health Parity Improvements – The existing Mental Health Parity Law has been significantly strengthened to ensure better access to care and coverage for mental health services.

  2. CT Farm Bill – This new legislation provides a substantial boost to our state’s agricultural sector, supporting local farmers and promoting sustainability.

Keep scrolling to read more about each of these new laws as well as the Pilot Program and Grant money awarded to our great city.

Urban Investment Initiative
Pilot Program

The state is investing $900,000, through the Urban Investment Initiative, to construct and retrofit at least 30 homes in the Newhallville neighborhood in New Haven. This new pilot program is aimed at improving homes and neighborhoods.

The funding provides homeowners with access to critical resources that would otherwise be out of reach. It allows them to make long-overdue repairs, such as removing dangerous mold and asbestos, while improving energy efficiency. These upgrades will lower utility bills and lead to healthier living conditions.

This initiative is about more than housing improvements. It's about making our communities more affordable, greener, and healthier. The goal is to expand this pilot program to other cities like Hartford and Waterbury because every family in Connecticut deserves a safe and healthy home.
 

Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant

On Monday, Governor Lamont announced the awarding of more than $14 million in state grants to preserve 2,270 acres of open space and the creation of six new community green spaces in 22 towns and cities across Connecticut.

Scoring $92,975 of the grant money was Gather New Haven, which supports 45 community gardens and six nature preserves throughout New Haven, all accessible to the public.

Part of the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant, the Community Garden and Nature Preserve Improvements funding will be used to enhance and restore the functionality and appearance of ten gardens and two nature preserves by installing:

  • new planter boxes
  • native plantings
  • maintenance sheds
  • hoop houses
  • low tunnels to extend the use of the gardens.

Work will also include trail maintenance at the preserves and the replacement of an outmoded entry gate with one that is accessible to those with mobility challenges.
 

Mental Health Parity

Last week the governor signed legislation that strengthens the state's mental health parity laws. This legislation addresses deficiencies in the prior 2019 Mental Health Parity Law, which lacked robust enforcement mechanisms.

This new law significantly improves enforcement of the existing law by:

  • Enabling the state to fine insurance companies that do not comply with mental health parity laws, which require insurance companies to provide the same coverage for mental health as they would for any medical or surgical condition. Those who don’t comply can face fines up to $625,000.
  • Increasing transparency by requiring public annual reports that disclose whether insurers are complying with the law.
  • Limiting insurers' ability to use "step therapy," a protocol that requires patients to try less expensive (and potentially less effective) treatments before accessing those recommended by their doctors. 

This legislation makes Connecticut's mental health parity laws among the strongest in the nation.
 

CT Farm Bill

Governor Lamont's newly signed CT Farm Bill provides a significant boost to Connecticut's agricultural sector by introducing a broad suite of incentives and protections aimed at strengthening local farms.

Here's a breakdown of what this legislation means for farm owners:

A 20% Tax Credit for “Farm Investment Property”

  • Encourages investment in equipment, infrastructure, and technology.
  • Helps farmers offset costs of modernizing and expanding operations.

Crop Loss Reimbursement

  • Provides financial support for farmers hit by natural disasters or other crop-damaging events.
  • Aims to improve stability and risk management for growers.

Drone Regulations to Boost Innovation

  • Clarifies and potentially simplifies rules around drone usage.
  • Promotes precision agriculture through improved data collection, monitoring, and efficiency.

Support for Shellfish, Agritourism & More

  • Expands state-level backing for niche and value-added farm activities.
  • Recognizes the role of aquaculture and farm-based tourism in rural economic development.

Expanding Land Access Grants

  • Makes it easier for new and historically underserved farmers to acquire farmland.
  • Addresses long-standing barriers to land ownership and usage.