New Canaan Reapplies For Affordable Housing Moratorium

Information via the town of New Canaan

NEW CANAAN, CT — On Tuesday, the town reapplied for moratorium protection from Connecticut State Statute 8-30g after learning earlier this month a previous application was denied due to a technical change in how affordable housing units are counted, according to town officials.

In a news release provided by the town, First Selectman Dionna Carlson said the State Department of Housing reduced the number of points allocated to three-bedroom housing units between the time of the town's second moratorium application and its third application.

"I am very disappointed that DOH did not communicate this change with us, even though they came back to us with requests for modifications to our application," Carlson said in a news release. "Because we were unaware of the point value change, our application came up three points short of earning a moratorium. We had communicated in our application to the DOH we had additional units that could be applied toward this moratorium, if necessary, but they chose not to give us credit for those units."

Carlson noted she spoke with a DOH commissioner and her staff after receiving the denial letter last week.

"We are now clear on the changed point system, and we submitted a revised application on Tuesday, May 28th," Carlson said. "I am encouraged that DOH expressed a willingness to work with us to expedite this new application."

Carlson also noted New Canaan has been "a strong partner with the state in addressing the shortage of affordable housing."

"Our expansion of the Mill, Millport and Canaan Parish apartment complexes," Carlson said, "are clear examples of our commitment to add affordable housing in New Canaan."