Housing Bill, Local Events, and more

November 21, 2025



 

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Dear Neighbor,

In this week's eblast, you can read about resources for winter heating, upcoming energy rate increases, and more.

You can click the links below to navigate between sections.
 

What to Know About Connecticut's New Housing Bill 

I have written in these weekly newsletters extensively about housing and development over the years. I have never voted for a piece of legislation that I did not believe would benefit our community. While there are legitimate disagreements about how to address the crisis of housing affordability, access, and lack of diversity, there are many objections to HB-8002 that are not based in fact. Some organizations are using inflammatory rhetoric to spread misinformation, stoke fear, and maintain the status quo.

There are no COG mandates. There are no penalties for towns not adopting the COG’s recommended targets or opting out of the COG regional plans. COGs are made up of the chief elected leaders from each municipality not unelected bureaucrats. Towns have until 2029 to develop their Housing Growth Plans, which Fairfield is already very well on its way to doing, given its existing Affordable Housing Plan and its recently adopted Plan of Conservation and Development. These plans are accompanied by new funding for infrastructure and school construction.

Nothing in this bill jeopardizes our existing moratorium, and there are many pieces of this bill that support our efforts in earning a subsequent moratorium. This proactive planning is the key to driving our own vision for development and keeping us out from under the thumb of 8-30g. 

Please read the op-ed that Reps. McCarthy Vahey, Keitt, and I published on this topic to learn more. If you have additional questions or concerns about components of the bill, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. 
 

E-Bikes, E-Scooters, & Emergency Rooms: What Families Need to Know Event
I hope you'll attend this great event on e-bike and e-scooter safety being held at the Fairfield Public Library (1080 Old Post Rd., Fairfield) on Thursday, Dec. 4 from 7-8:30pm. Below is a description of the event:

Hear firsthand from those on the front lines: Police and Fire Department, first responders, and ER doctors share their experiences, insights, and hard lessons learned.

Traumatic e-bike and e-scooter injuries are on the rise. Kids on e-bikes and e-scooters are ending up in emergency rooms with broken bones, head injuries, burns from battery fires, or worse, sometimes in just a split second.

Join local experts for an important discussion for Parents & Families of e-bike & e-scooter riders.

You can read more and register for the event here!
 

Winter Heating Program

While the $500 million emergency fund plans to cover the lack of funding for the national Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), there are other state resources available now.

The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program and Eversource offer resources for those in need to help to cover the cost of their home energy bills this winter. Visit ct.gov/dss or the Eversource website for more information.
 
 

Energy Rate Increases

Starting January 1, rates for the supply portion of your electric bill are going up for customers of Eversource and United Illuminating (UI). Higher energy demand in winter and constrained natural gas supply push electricity costs higher.

Eversource customers will see an approximately 10.5% increase in their total bill, driven by a 29% jump in the supply portion. Savings from reduced public benefit charges, which we passed during the 2025 legislative session, aren’t enough to offset the higher supply costs.

UI customers will see about a 6% increase, but public benefit charge reductions passed in SB 4 last session mean bills are still 4% lower than last winter! There is still work to be done on lowering your electric rates, but I'm proud to see people's bills going down because of the important changes we made.

Review your usage and look for ways to cut back this winter, consider switching to a third-party supplier on EnergizeCT.com, and explore state assistance programs such as the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program, Matching Payment Program, and Low-Income Discount Rate.
 

Upgraded DSS Phone System 

The Department of Social Services (DSS) has successfully launched a new streamlined and user-friendly experience for callers with an upgraded phone system. 

The Benefits Center phone number has not changed.  Customers still contact DSS at 1-855-6-CONNECT (1-855-626-6632). ​ 

The new system includes: 

  • A simplified phone menu designed to help customers reach the right service
  • A self-service experience for checking case status and benefit information 

Customers who enter their Client ID when calling will benefit from a customized service and be routed to the correct call queue. Additionally, for those who prefer to self-serve, the system now allows them to: 

  • Check if DSS has received their documents and when they were reviewed
  • View their case status and, if active, access benefit details 

Customers now have access to call-back options, allowing them to: 

  • Save their place in line, or
  • Schedule a call at a time that works best for them 
 

Preventing Financial Scams Among Connecticut Seniors 

The Connecticut Intelligence Center, a law enforcement partnership within the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, is warning about a dramatic increase in financial scams targeting the elderly in Connecticut and the nation.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received 859,532 complaints in 2024, with losses reported at $16.6 billion, a 388% increase from 2023. In 2024 “false pretense” scams cost an estimated $31.9 million to Connecticut victims, most of whom were 65 or older, according to the 2024 Crime in Connecticut Report.

What to Watch Out For

  • High pressure, urgent timeline (“you must send money now”).
  • Request to pay with gift cards, wire transfer, prepaid cards, personal checks or cryptocurrency.
  • Caller says you must not contact family or police.
  • Caller ID spoofing (it may show a local number or government agency but is fake).
  • Unwilling to meet in person or hesitation to identify themselves with official credentials.

What to Do if You Believe You Are a Victim

  • Contact the local police to report the incident.
  • Do not transfer money and do not give any payment information.
  • Do not give any personal information or confirm/repeat social security numbers, birthdates, bank information or account numbers.
  • Verify by calling the family member with a known number not one provided by the caller.
  • If you have already made a payment contact your bank or the payment service immediately


Where to Go for Help

  • National Elder Fraud Hot Line- 1-833-372-8311
  • Elder Fraud- Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
  • File a Suspicious Activity Report with CTIC or download the “CT SAFE” application on your phone.
 

Local Events 
Winter Whimsy Annual Holiday Lighting
Old Town Hall & Museum Commons (370 Beach Rd., Fairfield)
Saturday, Nov. 29, 4:15-7pm
Read more here
Holiday Shop & Stroll
Thursday, Dec. 11, 6-9pm
Read more here
 

I'm committed to ensuring your voice is heard. Please don't hesitate to call my office at (860) 240-8585 or email me if there's anything I can do for you. Be sure to follow @LeeperForFairfield on Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date on everything I'm doing at the Capitol.


Sincerely,

Jennifer Leeper
State Representative

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