Elicker Proposes Expanding PILOT

Clarity Notes:

PILOT is not being paid as its supposed to be, so Elicker plans on expanding an already broken plan? I am confused. Please someone explain his rationale.

Once again ppl don't get what affordable housing is!! IT IS NOT ANY MORE GOVERNMENT SANCTIONED, CORRUPT SLUM LORD SECTION 8 BLOCKS OF HOUSING PROJECTS!!! Affordable WORKFORCE HOUSING is what the words say. It is housing that WORKING people can afford. It is the start to the American dream. The key word is WORKING! Section 8 ppl by and large don't work, they haven't worked and in all likelihood never will work! That is NOT Affordable housing. That is government supported modern day indentured servitude.

The rationale is that housing the poor is an obligation of government, and an obligation, like schools, parks, public safety facilities, hospitals, etc., whose costs should be shared by all in the state. In Connecticut, of course, there is no legal obligation to provide housing for the poor, so those towns that choose to do so do so voluntarily.

As far as the suburbs go, even 100% PILOT would not entice the suburbs to build housing for poor families. As it is, most towns avoid multi-family housing because even when 100% taxable, the revenue produced per dwelling falls far short of the costs of services the inhabitants require, notable the cost of schooling children at about 17K each. Poor families often require even more expensive social services beyond schools, so housing for the poor is even more repugnant to suburban towns.

Great idea if Elicker integration is critical however in some cases not. Take for example Artist housing. Brudgeport offers it. We have a huge community of struggling artists. Housing artists together creates collaboration. Where the public may not like to hear a musician practicing or an electric saw for hours, artists co studio and are used to this. All the current artist housing in new haven is full but the need is huge. It was shot down but senior housing is never shot down. Many artists are seniors in need. Bring back that project which was shot down due to the huge need for affordable housing but take care of that need and I bet artist housing won't be denied. Integrate artists... together... no need to further isolate. One would not isolate seniors. Same difference.

Let's amend the CT Constitution to make housing a human right.
Then let's address the segregation in place in suburbs v cities. Racist government and bank policies produced this dichotomy and so government and banks should come up with a plan to repair the damage.
Privileged towns could change their zoning to permit more low income housing and even tiny home parks. There is no pressure on them to do so, however.
Since I believe more in the power of the carrot than the stick, a change in the state Constitution will provide more leverage to challenge the status quo. Let every privileged town develop a plan for diversifying its population and recognize such plans and reward such efforts.
Children growing up in high income, all white towns will be ill equipped to cope in the diverse culture outside such towns.
The demographics are clear as to where we are headed.
Boston is no longer largely Irish; it is largely Latinx or people from South America.
The kids may be learning Chinese, but Spanish would be more appropriate.