Affordable‑housing proposals for veterans and a veterans license‑plate bill spur debate over 8‑30g incentives
February 13, 2023 | 2025 Legislature CT, Connecticut
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A session of the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee on Feb. 13 included a cluster of housing bills aimed at expanding veterans access to affordable housing and a DMV special‑plate bill recognizing the Borinqueneers.
Bridget Prince and others urged adoption of a 10% set‑aside in new municipal and publicly supported housing developments to prioritize veterans, including disabled and elderly veterans, and argued such measures cost municipalities little while increasing veteran access to units. Representative Jimmy Sanchez and Representative Reyes championed DMV special plates to honor Borinqueneers, asking that families be eligible with proof of service.
Senator Gordon and others noted that municipalities could receive credit under Connecticut's 8‑30g affordable‑housing statute for selected actions; proponents suggested veteran set‑asides be structured so they also satisfy long‑term affordability requirements and count toward municipal affordability goals.
Opponents warned about the bill language. Rafael Podolsky of Connecticut Legal Services said a proposed bill (SB 1277) as drafted could be an attempt to circumvent 8‑30g's long‑term affordability requirements by counting short‑term or unstabilized veteran preferences toward moratorium credits; he urged the committee to ensure long‑term restricted affordability is maintained.
Speakers including Rhonda Filbert, Gwen Samuel and others tied housing proposals to broader veterans needs — homelessness prevention, stable community ties and workforce reintegration — and urged combining set‑asides, housing credits, and workforce pathways so veterans participate in construction and local economic activity.
The committee also heard support for aligning proposed veteran set‑asides with 8‑30g incentives so municipalities that voluntarily build veteran‑housing would receive statutory credit for affordable housing obligations.
No votes were taken; sponsors and opponents asked staff to refine language to protect long‑term affordability and avoid loopholes while delivering veteran‑targeted units.
Bridget Prince and others urged adoption of a 10% set‑aside in new municipal and publicly supported housing developments to prioritize veterans, including disabled and elderly veterans, and argued such measures cost municipalities little while increasing veteran access to units. Representative Jimmy Sanchez and Representative Reyes championed DMV special plates to honor Borinqueneers, asking that families be eligible with proof of service.
Senator Gordon and others noted that municipalities could receive credit under Connecticut's 8‑30g affordable‑housing statute for selected actions; proponents suggested veteran set‑asides be structured so they also satisfy long‑term affordability requirements and count toward municipal affordability goals.
Opponents warned about the bill language. Rafael Podolsky of Connecticut Legal Services said a proposed bill (SB 1277) as drafted could be an attempt to circumvent 8‑30g's long‑term affordability requirements by counting short‑term or unstabilized veteran preferences toward moratorium credits; he urged the committee to ensure long‑term restricted affordability is maintained.
Speakers including Rhonda Filbert, Gwen Samuel and others tied housing proposals to broader veterans needs — homelessness prevention, stable community ties and workforce reintegration — and urged combining set‑asides, housing credits, and workforce pathways so veterans participate in construction and local economic activity.
The committee also heard support for aligning proposed veteran set‑asides with 8‑30g incentives so municipalities that voluntarily build veteran‑housing would receive statutory credit for affordable housing obligations.
No votes were taken; sponsors and opponents asked staff to refine language to protect long‑term affordability and avoid loopholes while delivering veteran‑targeted units.
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