Events

Litchfield County's 2025 Housing Affordability Summit

Hosted By

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Litchfield County Housing Affordability Summit!

It was an incredible opportunity to connect with local leaders, advocates, and community members committed to addressing our region’s housing needs. From engaging workshops to powerful keynote remarks from Nandini Natarajan of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64), and Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno of the Connecticut Department of Housing, the sessions highlighted both the progress made and the important work that still lies ahead.

We are deeply grateful to the Foundation for Community Health for helping put on this year’s conference, and to every participant who made this gathering such a meaningful step forward for housing opportunity in Connecticut!

Workshop Content

This year's Housing Summit include four different workshops. Click below to download materials from each one.

Reducing the Costs of Affordable Housing: A Panel and Brainstorming Session

A builder, architect, funder, and affordable housing developer discussed their ideas for how we could reduce the per unit cost of affordable housing in Litchfield County. Viewed the new short film about modular built housing. Panelists:

David Berto, President, Housing Enterprises, Inc.
Craig Landri, President, Signature Building Systems
Paul E. Jorgensen, AIA, Architectural & Technical Services Manager, Connecticut Dept. of Housing
Paul Selnau, Architect/CEO Schadler Selnau Associates
Michael Santoro, Director, Policy, Research, and Housing Support, Connecticut Dept. of Housing

Resources

From Engagement to Organizing: Strategic Approaches to Community Building

What's the difference between community engagement and community organizing and why does it matter? We learned fun and effective tools and strategies for connecting with more people in your town, including people who don't yet know they care about housing! Panelists:

Ben Fink- All In Alliances (and Housing for All initiative)
Sara Locke- All In for Oxford (and Housing for All initiative)

Resources

HB 5002: What’s Next for the Housing Omnibus Bill?

Heard more about what was in the original HB 5002 legislation referred to as the “Housing Omnibus Bill” that was vetoed by the Governor as well as proposals from CT Council of Governments and Council of Small Towns (COST) to make revisions to this legislation. Panelists:

Robert Phillips, Executive Director, Northwest Hills Council of Governments
Maria Horn, State Representative, 64th District
Sean Ghio, Policy Director, Partnership for Strong Communities

Resources

Workshop Slides

How much will we owe? Property Taxes on affordable housing

Summarized the Public Act that went into effect in October 2024 that clarifies how towns should assess taxes on affordable rental housing developments and show you an example on how this can be calculated. Discussed how affordable homeownership properties should be taxed and shared examples from neighboring towns. Panelist:

David Berto, President, Housing Enterprises, Inc.

Resources

Property Tax Fact Sheet

LCCHO Director, Jocelyn Ayer, and the CT Department of Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquero-Bruno, visit housing group tables during the Partners and Projects Reception

Emma Heintz and Lindsay Larson of The Housing Collective welcome attendees at the Check-in tables.

Housing organizations highlight their current and upcoming housing developments.

Attendees enjoyed appetizers from local eateries and learned about current affordable housing work in the region.

Rich Baumann, Sharon Housing Trust President, welcomes CT Department of Housing Commissioner, Seila Mosquera-Bruno, to the Sharon Housing Trust Community Center Groundbreaking ceremony.

Hosted By Litchfield County Center for Housing Opportunity
Topic Housing Affordability
Region Litchfield County, CT

Dec 2, 2025

5:30-8:30pm

In Community: Building a Future We Can Afford

Hosted By Fairfield County Center for Housing Opportunity
with Fairfield County’s Community Foundation
Topic Housing Affordability
Region Fairfield County, CT

Dec 11, 2025

6:30-8:00pm

Building Community with Community Land Trusts

Community Land Trusts 101

Hosted By The Housing Collective
with Naugatuck Valley Project; All In Alliances
Topic Housing Affordability; Community Land Trust
Region CT

You know what needs to change. We can help you make it happen.

The Center for Housing Opportunity convenes a vast partner network of engaged residents and organizations to work towards a better housing future in Connecticut. Join our efforts to preserve, produce, and protect housing that is affordable for all.

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