HARTFORD, CT — Members of Connecticut’s Hispanic community issued a call for immediate legislative intervention on housing affordability, healthcare access, education, and economic opportunity during a recent session organized by the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus of the Connecticut General Assembly.
The hours-long public meeting, streamed online via social media and Zoom, drew hundreds of participants and highlighted disparities affecting Black and Hispanic neighborhoods across the state.
State Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno said her department is focusing on people earning 30% to 80% of the state’s median income, roughly $18,000 to $60,000 annually for a family of four.
She reported that more than 5,000 housing units are currently underway across Connecticut.
In New Haven, construction delays persist. “Work is pending electrical completion,” Mosquera said. “Developers paused, awaiting city discussions for resolution.”
State Rep. Robyn Porter, D-New Haven, stressed the urgency of protecting residents facing displacement due to gentrification. “They are literally being forced out because they can’t afford what we’re calling ‘affordable housing’ for people that are really low income, and working two and three jobs to make ends meet and to do all the other things that they have to do to support themselves and families,” Porter said.
State Economic and Community Development Commissioner Daniel O’Keefe said the state must invest in inner cities and educational readiness.
“I just think it’s incredibly important to make sure that we have the flexibility in our workforce to make sure that those who are interested in some of these new-generation industries have the educational backbone, the educational underpinning, the educational opportunities available to them,” O’Keefe said.
State Sen. Patricia Billie Miller, D-Stamford, who chairs the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, challenged the economic development department to reassess its approach.
“I would like you to go back to the drawing board and really look at your programs that benefit Black and Hispanic communities,” Miller said. “The reason we exist is because the communities we represent are usually excluded.”
The community’s next major event, the Latino and Puerto Rican Summit, will take place on Saturday, Jan. 20, in Hartford to continue pushing forward a shared policy agenda.
