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DesegregateCT Rallies for Housing Justice, Demands Action on Zoning Reform

On May 8, DesegregateCT, The Valley Stands Up, and March for Justice co-hosted a Rally for Housing Justice outside the Deep River Town Hall. Nearly 100 community members gathered to demonstrate support and demanded immediate action by Connecticut’s legislative leadership to call zoning reform for a vote to create greater equity, boost our economy, and protect our environment. More from the CT Examiner, Middletown Press, & Greenwich Time columnist Susan Campbell!

“Zoning reform is a matter of housing justice, but also an answer to economic stagnation," said Rep. Christine Palm (D- Chester, Deep River, Essex, Haddam). "The Young Earner Prosperity Roundtable I convened revealed that the three things young residents dislike most about Connecticut are lack of public transportation, racial segregation, and dull cities. Zoning reform and more affordable housing can address all three.” 

"The moral imperative of this moment in history is to do all we can to create democratic and inclusive communities where people can afford to live in towns they would like to call home, regardless of their level of income,” said Maryam Elahi, organizer from March for Justice. “We all thrive when our communities are truly diverse and welcoming.” 

Evonne Klein, Interim CEO of the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness and former CT Commissioner of Housing shared: “In Connecticut, we’ve been talking about housing options and housing choice for decades now. Today, it’s time to take action. The zoning proposals in SB 1024 give municipalities tools to create more vibrant and inclusive communities attracting people of all generations, races, and cultures. We know that a multigenerational diverse community is a more vibrant community.” 

“I’m so proud of living in an inclusive rural neighborhood in Colchester that’s getting more inclusive day by day. I’m glad we’re having this conversation here in Deep River to expand diverse housing,” said Black Lives Matter Activist Jah Marley Wright.

“Educating folks about the hardened destructiveness of institutional racism is an absolute necessity for progress to be made,” added Jim Crawford from HOPE Partnership. 

“In the past five years, our Lyme-Old Lyme community has welcomed four refugee families, but by the end of the school year, only one will still be with us. That isn’t because the others felt unwelcome. Quite the opposite. It’s because they can’t afford the cost of housing,” stated Faye Richardson, volunteer with Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS). 

Alicia Dolce, Executive Director of CT Green Building Council, said, “Connecticut’s land use laws have locked in sprawl for far too long. It’s time to re-think how we create communities that are healthier and more equitable, resilient and sustainable for future generations. The CT Green Building Council is proud to be one of 68 organizations to have formed a coalition to support SB 1024 and stand up for zoning reform in Connecticut.” 

“Architects are responsible for the health, safety, and welfare of the public - something directly tied to equitable, sustainable, and prosperous communities,” emphasized Angela Cahill, President of AIA Connecticut. “It is our moral obligation to support necessary changes to land use regulations, and on behalf of 1,200 architects of the AIA, I urge the legislature to pass zoning reform now.” 

“Legislative leadership must call zoning reform for a vote on the floor so Connecticut can start to advance equity, the economy, and the environment,” said Sara Bronin, founder and lead organizer of DesegregateCT. "We can't wait another year."