Opening Doors to Housing, Medical Debt Relief, Autism, IDD Support Services

May 28, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

One week more! The days are long, and the nights are short, but we are working diligently to get many bills across the finish line before we adjourn (Sine Die) next Wednesday, June 4^th at midnight. The most important "bill" we will pass will be our budget and right now, we aren't yet in agreement with the Governor, but my hope is that we will get there sooner rather than later. No doubt, with cuts coming from the federal level, we will most likely have a special session or sessions throughout the rest of the year.

Yesterday, as you may have read or seen on the news, we passed the priority housing bill HB 5002 after an 11-and-a-half-hour debate. This bill was the culmination of, in some cases, years of work revising bills, taking feedback from the public, working with our Republican ranking members, working on the Majority Leader's Roundtable on Affordable Housing, and speaking with advocates across the state. I'm proud to have been on of the four chairs to bring out the bill and you can find more details on it later in the e-news.

Pride month is right around the corner and both Avon and Canton have events scheduled in the near future which I've included below. Pups and Pride is a Yappy Hour this year instead of the parade.

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is coming to an end but not before recognizing Connecticut's first South Asian federal judge.

Please reach out if you have any questions about these final days of session.

Have a great week,

Eleni

Opening Doors to Housing

Yesterday, with my colleague, Representative Antonio Felipe, co-chair of the Housing Committee, Representative Steve Stafstrom, co-chair of the Judiciary Committee, and Representative Farley Santos, Vice-Chair of the Banking Committee, along with Majority Leader Jason Rojas, I brought out our omnibus housing priority bill HB5002. Unfortunately, there was a lot of misinformation put out about the bill, so I’d like to take a minute to clarify that here.

The reality is, Connecticut has one of the most constrained housing markets in the country (#2) with our housing being far too expensive for too many families across the income spectrum. Families everywhere are struggling to find homes they can afford. Rent is rising, inventory is scarce, and often, there are barriers to the construction of needed housing.

The crisis is significantly an economic challenge to Connecticut and our entire region. Just last week, the CBIA Foundation for Economic Growth released a report on the economic impact of Connecticut’s housing shortage. Many of the solutions they recommend are included in HB 5002 including upzoning for middle housing and beginning to rethink parking requirements that add to the cost of housing and have significant impacts on the environment and stormwater management (a constant concern for municipalities). Their report can be read HERE.

HB5002 is a comprehensive approach, informed and amended with language from both sides of the aisle, after months of walk visits to nearly half of CT's municipalities, public hearings, the Majority Leader's Roundtable, and conversations with stakeholders and advocates. It targets the roots of Connecticut’s housing shortage while respecting local voices and without penalizing towns and cities.

Increasing Transparency and Local Control
• The bill improves transparency in public housing authorities, providing residents and decision-makers with more complete data.

Modernizing Zoning to Encourage Growth
• Zoning reforms remove barriers to building smaller-scale multi-family housing that will not overwhelm communities or infrastructure. We understand that you wouldn't want a giant apartment building in your quiet community. These changes remove outdated restrictions, helping to increase supply while keeping the health and safety of residents at the forefront of decisions by land use commissioners.

Supporting the Homeless
• Includes funding for mobile shower and laundry services to address immediate hygiene needs for homeless residents, helping to restore dignity and public health.

Empowering Towns
• Under existing law towns are required to update affordable housing plans, beginning in 2027, and under the bill will get support in doing so, should they request it. The bill provides objective data to consider in developing their plans and they will have an opportunity to provide their own understanding of what goals they should plan for.

Resources to build local capacity to help develop plans that are locally focused.
• The bill provides funding for our locally led Council of Governments to help assist towns with important planning needs like housing, stormwater management, and trash and recycling demands.

Banning Hostile Architecture
• This is only going forward; existing infrastructure can remain. This bill is about balancing the need to maintain public spaces while recognizing the humanity and vulnerability of unhoused people.

Funding Middle Housing
• A robust $50 million/year grant program for our public housing authorities will directly grow our housing stock, especially in the "missing middle.” Public housing authorities are locally controlled, and this new program will result in smaller-scale deeply affordable housing for seniors and families.

Makes Updates to 8-30g
• Provides additional options for towns to increase their stock of affordable housing and earn a moratorium from lawsuits.

Provide Incentives to Voluntarily Create Transit-Oriented Development • Smart housing policy encourages development near rail and bus service so people don’t have to rely on a car to live or get to work while improving affordability.

Innovative Rental Assistance
• A pilot, using no state dollars, explores new ways to provide rental help without adding burden to the state budget.

Opening Doors Through Education
• By reviving the Open Choice Housing Program, we connect housing and educational opportunities, giving families additional choices.

HB 5002 addresses our housing crisis head-on by increasing supply, cutting red tape, supporting vulnerable residents, and empowering local solutions. It’s a responsible, effective, and community-driven path forward.

My hope is that through this bill, we will be able to move Connecticut's economy forward, realize true housing options for a variety of people, and build stronger and more resilient communities. Please click on the video below to hear my comments right before the passage of HB5002.

Medical Debt Relief

Medical debt relief is coming to more than 100,000 Connecticut residents!

I’m proud to share that the second round of medical debt relief is on the way — funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and made possible through our partnership with the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt.

What to expect:
Keep an eye out for an official letter from Undue Medical Debt. THIS IS NOT JUNK MAIL! There is no application process, no catch, just relief.

Who qualifies?
Individuals earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level
Those whose medical debt equals 5% or more of annual income

This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to health equity, financial relief, and a more compassionate healthcare system for all Connecticut residents. You can view a sample of what this letter looks like HERE.

What to expect:
Keep an eye out for an official letter from Undue Medical Debt. THIS IS NOT JUNK MAIL! There is no application process, no catch, just relief.

Who qualifies?
Individuals earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level
Those whose medical debt equals 5% or more of annual income

This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to health equity, financial relief, and a more compassionate healthcare system for all Connecticut residents. You can view a sample of what this letter looks like HERE.

Autism, IDD Support Services

We passed legislation that will foster a more inclusive and responsive system that better meets the needs of individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities.

Tracks delays & gaps in critical services
Requires public reporting on abuse & neglect cases
Review DDS investigation policies every 5 years
Launches statewide autism needs assessment
Studies the future of Southbury Training School
Proposes urgent help for complex autism cases

Towing Law Overhauled

The House overwhelmingly approved a bill to overhaul the state’s towing law, making it harder to tow vehicles from private property and easier for drivers to retrieve their vehicles after a tow.

HB 7162 overhauls the state’s 100-year-old towing statutes creating massive reforms to towing procedures from private property and rate increases for highway tows that typically follow car accidents.

Tow companies are now required to accept credit cards and they are not allowed to tow vehicles quickly just because of an expired parking permit or registration. Vehicles can’t be towed from private property without notice unless they’re blocking traffic, fire hydrants or parked in an accessible space.

The bill takes several steps to make it easier for people to get their towed vehicles back and requires towing companies to take more time and increase documentation during the sale process.

Bills Passed in the House (So far)

For a look at bills passed in the House during the 2025 legislative session so far, please click on the image below.

Avon Pride Sidewalk Celebration & Flag Raising on Sunday

Sunday in Canton: Yappy Hour With Woofgang Bakery, Groomer

Socialize, sip, and chill out with your pup this Sunday at Pups and Pride Yappy Hour with Woofgang Bakery and Groomer from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 with all proceeds going to the Town of Canton Dog Park. For more details and to register, please click on the image below.

Wednesday June 4th: Pride Day @ The Capitol

The Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity (CWCSEO) invites you to attend PRIDE Day at the Capitol next Wednesday, June 4, 2025. It will include a day of reflection, resilience, and recognition dedicated to advancing equity, uplifting LGBTQ+ voices, and promoting mental wellness.

“Beyond Celebration: Centering Equity, Wellness & Voice,” will take place at the Legislative Office Building and in the north lobby of the Capitol.

Here's a look at the agenda:

Panel Discussion: Mental Health & Healing

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Legislative Office Building, Hearing Room 1B

Moderated by Melvette Hill, Executive Director of CWCSEO, this engaging discussion will explore the growing mental health challenges facing LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, including the impacts of stigma, isolation, and limited access to affirming care. Featuring the voices of youth, young adults, and advocates, the panel will highlight the urgent need for inclusive support and community-driven healing.

Panelists Include:

Taylor Tucker, Health Equity Solutions
Juan Fonseca, LGBTQ+ Advocate
Brett Bordonaro, LGBTQ+ Advocate
Genesis Jones, Student & LGBTQ+ Advocate

Spoken Word Performances: Be moved by the powerful voices of Larry Roeming and Aalexÿz Jiménez, who will share original pieces centered on identity, empowerment, and healing through community.

Resource Fair:
3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
North Lobby, State Capitol

Meet with local and statewide organizations offering essential resources, support services, and advocacy tools for Connecticut’s LGBTQ+ community and allies.
Join us in fostering equity, honoring pride, and amplifying voices.
Register by scanning the QR Code on the attached flyer. For additional information, please contact Denise Drummond at denise.drummond@cga.ct.gov.

It's About That Time: Enjoy CT

Hot days, cool drinks, baseball, and barbecues are popular staples during the summer but Connecticut, from one end of the state to the other, offers so much more.

Connecticut is home to 110 state parks, 32 state forests, 29 state campgrounds, 117 state boat launches, and 4 coastal state beaches that provide any number of recreational opportunities, along with many other attractions and nationally ranked restaurants.

Two new trails guide visitors on some of the more unique experiences the state has to offer, including the Connecticut Oyster Trail, and the Connecticut Christmas Movie Trail. Later this year the state will officially launch the Connecticut Pizza Trail to celebrate its designation as the Pizza Capital of the United States.

The best way to explore tourism destinations and find activities to do in the state is by visiting the official Connecticut Tourism website HERE.

There's more.

Litchfield County was ranked as one of the best places to go in 2025 and Mystic Seaport Museum was the “#2 Best Open-Air Museum” for the second consecutive year.

Hungry?

Several CT chefs and restaurants have gained national recognition, including chef David Standridge of The Shipwright’s Daughter in Mystic capturing the world-renowned James Beard Award for best chef in the northeast, and several others named semifinalists, including Renee Touponce of Oyster Club and The Port of Call in Mystic who was nominated in the outstanding chef category, and Coracora in West Hartford nominated for outstanding restaurant.

Seasons change quickly. With all that it has to offer, summertime in Connecticut is one you don't want to miss.