Eastern Connecticut 2025 Impact Report
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Introduction
In 2024, the Center for Housing Opportunity Eastern Connecticut (CHO-EC) made significant strides in addressing housing affordability and advancing housing solutions across New London, Windham, and Tolland counties. Through regional collaboration, technical assistance, policy advocacy, and community engagement, CHO-EC strengthened local capacity to expand affordable housing opportunities, support municipalities, and empower residents.
This year’s efforts have been particularly critical as demand for affordable housing continues to grow, economic pressures increase, and barriers to housing access persist. By aligning resources, fostering partnerships, and elevating data-driven strategies, CHO-EC played a key role in helping towns implement effective housing policies and supporting nonprofit and for-profit housing development.
CHO-EC is driving long-term systems change by strengthening regional housing infrastructure, aligning municipalities around shared data and strategies, and fostering a more coordinated, strategic approach to housing development in Eastern Connecticut.
By The Numbers: Measureable Impact
Tracking Progress, Driving Results, and Expanding Housing Opportunities
- 358 new housing units supported across seven developments in five towns, advancing affordable housing production throughout Eastern Connecticut.
- 5 new regional resources published, equipping municipalities and advocates with critical data and strategies.
- Eastern Connecticut Housing Needs Assessment (HNA)
- Affordable Housing Plan Scorecards for Windham and Tolland Counties
- Stable Homes, Strong Communities: Changing the Narrative around Affordable Housing in Eastern Connecticut
- Eastern Connecticut Housing Conversations Toolkit
- Eastern Connecticut Weekly Housing Calendars
- 1 new website, featuring a digital Resource Library and Event Calendar to increase access to data and best practices, and drive public engagement.
- 13 events, including four quarterly convenings which brought cross-sector stakeholders from the entire region together for discussions on key housing issues:
- Presenting ALICE Report with United Way of Southeastern CT
- Presenting Affordable Housing Scorecards with Regional Plan Association (RPA)
- Screening and discussing CT Public documentary Fighting For Home with Access Community Action Agency and Columbia CoDE
- Hosting Faith in Affordable Housing panel with CommUnity Street Ministry and Shiloh Family Life Center
- 300+ students and community members engaged through the Housing Justice Brown Bag Lunch Series with Connecticut College, expanding awareness and advocacy on housing as a social justice issue.
- 4 towns received direct technical assistance to support them as they implement affordable housing plans and move projects forward.
Driving Change: Stories of Impact
How Collaboration, Community Engagement, and Innovation Are Transforming Housing in Eastern Connecticut
Empowering Tenants and Strengthening Renter Protections in East Lyme
After a new management company bought the Windward Village Apartments in East Lyme and raised rents substantially, CHO-EC helped to equip tenants with information about renter rights, legal protections, and advocacy strategies to address unjust rent hikes and service reductions. As a result, residents organized and pushed East Lyme to establish a Fair Rent Commission, leading to stronger tenant protections and greater accountability for landlords in the community.
Launching the Housing Justice Brown Bag Lunch Series
In partnership with the Holleran Center for Community Action at Connecticut College, CHO-EC launched this in-person event series engaging students, faculty, and community members in critical discussions on the intersection of housing and social justice. These conversations deepen awareness and foster collaborations across disciplines to highlight the intersectionality of housing justice.
Convening Regional Councils of Governments for a Housing Needs Analysis
CHO-EC convened and collaborated with Eastern Connecticut’s Councils of Governments, as well as stakeholders including Hartford Healthcare and Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region (seCTer), to produce a regional housing needs analysis. This effort helped to foster a shared, data-driven understanding of housing needs for municipalities across New London, Windham, and Tolland counties—informing regional and state housing strategies.
View the housing needs analysis
Expanding Capacity Through a New Partnership with LISC CT
In 2024, LISC CT joined CHO-EC’s six founding partners, significantly enhancing regional capacity to advance housing affordability. With LISC CT’s expertise in community development financing, technical assistance, and policy advocacy, CHO-EC can better support municipalities, developers, and nonprofit organizations in expanding and preserving affordable housing. Through this partnership, CHO-EC is connecting proposed projects to LISC’s pre-development funding program, accelerating the production of affordable homes across Eastern Connecticut.
Launching CHO-EC’s New Website as a Hub for Housing Solutions
CHO-EC launched a new website in 2024, serving as a digital hub for housing data, resources, and advocacy tools tailored to Eastern Connecticut. This platform increases access to research, technical assistance, and community engagement opportunities, empowering municipalities, advocates, and residents to advance housing solutions.
Looking Ahead: Advancing Housing Solutions in 2025
Expanding Impact, Strengthening Partnerships, and Driving Change
Expanding Municipal Technical Assistance
In 2025, CHO-EC will broaden its Municipal Technical Assistance Program, providing more towns with direct planning support, data analysis, and funding guidance to implement affordable housing plans, revise zoning policies, and advance local housing projects. This expansion will help municipalities overcome barriers to housing development and build sustainable, welcoming communities.
Bringing Housing, History, and Justice Together
In partnership with Connecticut College, CHO-EC will play a leading role in a multi-year project exploring the intersection of housing, history, and justice through public humanities. By leading community engagement, outreach, and programming efforts, CHO-EC will ensure that research and storytelling elevate resident voices and inform fair housing solutions.
Publishing Research to Support Participation in Land Use Decision Making
CHO-EC will release groundbreaking research on land use decision-making in New London County, providing key insights into who makes land use decisions, demystifying on ramps to participation, and providing recommendations to broaden participation and support informed decision making.
Expanding the Housing Justice Brown Bag Lunch Series to Eastern CT State University
Building on the success of the Housing Justice Brown Bag Lunch Series in partnership with Connecticut College, CHO-EC will expand this initiative to Eastern Connecticut State University, engaging more students, faculty, and community members in conversations about the intersectionality of housing, justice, and opportunity.
Launching a Monthly Newsletter
In early 2025, the Centers for Housing Opportunity will introduce a monthly newsletter, providing more timely updates on regional housing initiatives, policy developments, funding opportunities, and community engagement efforts. This new resource will help stakeholders stay informed, connected, and engaged around advancing housing solutions across Eastern Connecticut.
Conclusion: Working Together for Housing Solutions
CHO-EC’s progress in 2024 reflects the power of collaboration and shared commitment to ensuring that everyone in Eastern Connecticut has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. As we move forward, we look to partners like you—municipal leaders, housing advocates, service providers, and community members—to continue working together with us to advance policy solutions, build community support, and drive meaningful change. Together, we can strengthen regional efforts, break down barriers, and create a future where housing opportunity is a reality for all.
In Partnership with
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Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut
Community Foundation of Eastern CT brings people together to work towards a healthy, thriving, sustainable Eastern Connecticut with greater equity for all. We achieve this by collaborating with partners to put philanthropy into action to address the needs, rights and interests of our community.
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Connecticut College
Connecticut College educates students to put the liberal arts into action as citizens in a global society. The College promotes an understanding of local, regional, national, and international peoples, groups, cultures, and issues, and encourages students to take a life-long interest in them.
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Eastern Connecticut State University
Eastern CT State University engages students from diverse backgrounds in a transformative, liberal arts learning experience that provides knowledge and skills to lead enriching, purposeful lives.
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LISC Connecticut
Since coming to Connecticut in 1984, LISC has invested more than $94 million in grants and loans. LISC works in cities including Bridgeport, Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, and Waterbury, helping local organizations develop affordable housing and create partnerships that strengthen neighborhoods by enhancing resident quality of life, expanding economic opportunity, and closing racial wealth, health, and opportunity gaps.
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Partnership for Strong Communities
Partnership for Strong Communities promotes equitable change in Connecticut housing policy by coordinating advocacy, advancing research, and uniting diverse partners.
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United Way of Southeastern Connecticut
United Way envisions a community united in its efforts to ensure that individuals and families achieve their full potential.
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.