Addressing Affordability of Homeownership

April 4, 2024

In my conversations with constituents, I keep hearing how the high cost of housing is hurting us: first responders or teachers are unable to live in the community in which they work; businesses bypass CT because workers can’t afford to live here; grown kids move out of state or seniors leave because they can’t afford to stay.

Homeownership is one of the best ways to build wealth. In Connecticut, there has been a 10% decrease in home ownership between 2005 and 2022. We need to make buying a home more affordable so that people and businesses can afford to move here and stay here.

I’ve co-sponsored a bill to allow first-time homebuyers to contribute to a tax-deductible savings account. It would also allow employers to get tax credits for contributing to their employees’ home-ownership accounts. This bill could be a big help to first-time home buyers, and it helps businesses attract and retain employees.

In the video below I discuss another bill that would offer a property tax abatement for first-time homebuyers.
Property Tax Abatement for First-Time Homebuyers
 
National Vietnam War Veterans Day
March 29, which marked the day President Nixon withdrew American combat forces from Vietnam,  was National Vietnam War Veterans Day. It was an honor to attend the commemoration events in Greenwich, and to honor all those who served in the Vietnam War and their families.
Recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month
It was an honor to stand with local elected officials and staff of the Rowan Center to recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Fourteen percent of Connecticut residents reported having experienced childhood sexual assault. The work of the Rowan Center is critical to eliminating the stigma around sexual assault and providing critical services to victims and survivors of sexual assault.
Rethink Waste Fair
Join Waste Free Greenwich for their third annual ReThink Waste Fair this Saturday, April 6th (11-3) at the Christ Church Parish Hall. This fun, family friendly event explores creative ways to reduce our waste and live more sustainably through the 6Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle, Rot. Highlights include an upcycled fashion show, eco-friendly vendors, children’s activities, composting and cooking demos, interactive exhibits and more! Celebrate Food Waste Prevention Week with CT DEEP and Earth Month with the First Selectman's Proclamation and the Greenwich Sustainability Committee's community awards. Bring your hard-to-recycle items, including electronics, batteries, textiles and more and stay for the fun!  Visit www.wastefreegreenwich.org for registration and details.
Round Hill Volunteer Fire Company's Family Fun Day
You can purchase tickets for the Family Fun Day HERE.
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A Mother-Daughter Event
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Community Conversation with Professor Susan B. Sorenson
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18th Annual Walk For Independence
Click HERE to learn more details about the event and sponsors or to donate to the cause.
2nd Annual Hope Day