Fairfield County Center for Housing Opportunity 2025 Impact Report
Created By
FCCHO By the Numbers
Tracking Progress, Driving Results, and Expanding Housing Opportunities
- 1 Connecticut Foundation for Open Government Award earned
- 19 public events and convenings hosted
- 812 residents and stakeholders participating / convened
- 26 reports, fact sheets, and regional resources published
Fairfield County Talks Housing, August 2025 at Sacred Heart University
Driving Change in Fairfield County
SHIFTING THE NARRATIVE ON HOUSING
In 2025, FCCHO hosted 19 public events and convenings and engaged 812 residents and stakeholders. A major vehicle for this work was the Fairfield County Talks Housing series, which brought together residents, municipal leaders, nonprofit partners, developers, and advocates to examine housing trends, share practical insights, and build shared understanding across sectors. These events helped move the conversation from whether Fairfield County has a housing problem to how communities can respond.
MAKING THE CASE WITH LOCAL DATA
FCCHO produced an affordability fact sheet for every municipality in Fairfield County as part of a broader set of 26 reports, fact sheets, and regional resources published during the year. These tools helped residents, advocates, and local leaders see what common occupations and income levels can actually afford in their own communities, making the gap between wages and housing costs visible and difficult to ignore. These materials strengthened regional advocacy by grounding local conversations in concrete data.
MAKING LOCAL DECISION-MAKING MORE REPRESENTATIVE
Through its Room at the Table report, FCCHO examined participation in local land use governance and found that in Fairfield County, 10 percent of land use board seats were unfilled and another 10 percent were held by members serving expired terms. The report also found that boards were not demographically representative of the communities they serve. These findings helped shift the conversation beyond local control alone and toward who has access to the tables where housing
decisions are made.
Darien Walk Audit with Pro-Homes CT, October 2025.
INVESTING IN RESIDENT LEADERSHIP
In 2025, FCCHO convened monthly, resident-led Housing Equity Coalition meetings and provided technical assistance to resident leaders to strengthen collaborative leadership, meeting practices, and civic engagement. These efforts helped historically marginalized Fairfield County residents participate more confidently in housing and land use processes and positioned them as active partners in shaping local solutions.
BUILDING A STRONGER HOUSING ECOSYSTEM
FCCHO and LISC Connecticut also led a Fairfield County Affordable Housing Ecosystem Initiative, supported by Bank of America. Through six targeted convenings and a countywide roundtable, housing authorities, lenders, developers, and regional stakeholders identified 32 actionable opportunities and barriers shaping affordable housing development in Fairfield County. That work led to three pilot concepts focused on streamlining systems, expanding educational opportunities, and advancing financial innovation.
