Tooker Makes Her Opinion Clear On Housing Bill HB 5002

WESTPORT, CT — Westport First Selectwoman Jen Tooker, who is seeking the Republican nomination to run for governor, calls the recently passed Connecticut housing bill, HB 5002, "the biggest assault on local zoning control in Connecticut in over 30 years" if Gov. Ned Lamont signs it into law.

The bill, which was approved by the state House and Senate last week, is called An Act Concerning Housing and the Needs of Homeless Persons, but it has garnered widespread criticism for how some say it will allow for local zoning regulations to be overridden.

"Framed as a measure to help our homeless population, instead it represents a fundamental change in how communities make decisions, plan for the future, and serve the needs of all residents," Tooker said in a statement.

Tooker's full statement is below:

If signed into law by Governor Lamont, House Bill 5002: An Act Concerning Housing and the Needs of Homeless Persons, will be the biggest assault on local zoning control in Connecticut in over 30 years. Framed as a measure to help our homeless population, instead it represents a fundamental change in how communities make decisions, plan for the future, and serve the needs of all residents. The negative consequences will be felt for decades to come as it undermines local town operational management and zoning, and the voices of residents in decision-making. A one-size-fits-all approach does not work. HB 5002 will fundamentally transform local zoning across our beautiful state, radically changing the face of our unique towns and cities without any planning, infrastructure investment or regard for our natural resources. It’s time for housing policy that respects our residents and business owners, our environment, and the autonomy of our municipalities.

Advancing affordable housing and ending homelessness are goals that I not only believe in, but have taken action on. As Westport's First Selectwoman, I have helped champion a common-sense, collaborative approach to create diverse housing. This includes pursuing text amendments to convert Town-owned buildings to affordable housing, and deed-restricting Town-owned property to serve as congregate housing (the first in the State to do so). Westport received the Community Champion Award by the CT Coalition to End Homelessness as a result of our innovative efforts. This is the work towns can do with community support, local decision-making and visionary leadership. HB 5002 strips planning and zoning control from our towns and gives it to the state and to developers. That's wrong for Connecticut. That's wrong for our residents and our business owners. We can do better.