Stonington -- The town's Department of Planning and the Economic Development Commission will host a virtual community conversation on Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 6 p.m. to discuss the issue of housing affordability.

The town is beginning to develop a state-mandated plan designed to help it meet affordable housing goals.

Before drafting the plan, the town and the consultant it has hired, are looking for community input.

In announcing the effort, the town stated that "Even before COVID-19, there were many households that have to spend more than 30% of their monthly income on housing. This is not sustainable for individuals, nor for communities. When people spend too much on their housing, they spend less supporting local businesses and organizations."

It added that improving access to affordable housing means local housing options will be available to  people such as day care workers, emergency medical technicians, school cafeteria workers and others the community relies upon.

If a town or city does not have 10 percent of its housing stock dedicated as affordable, then a project does not have to conform to zoning regulations, as long as it contains some affordable units. 

Despite the recent completion in town of affordable units and others in the planning or construction phase, Stonington housing stock is comprised of 6% affordable units.

For more information on affordable housing effort call the Department of Planning at (860) 535-5095 or email dop@stonington-ct.gov.

This virtual meeting will be held via WebEx. The meeting link is:

https://townofstonington.webex.com/townofstonington/j.php?MTID=m25ccccfee7939a1fa151ee7ec2554eff

Meeting #: 179 656 4635

Password: J9GfCPPky45

Phone access is as +1-408-418-9388 with the access code 179 656 4635