What Exactly Is The Connecticut Housing Crisis?

 What is the actual Connecticut Housing Crisis? Can it be defined? Can any of the Legislative geniuses that are constantly crying about the same explain in simple terms what it actually is? Is it a lack of apartments, condominiums, and houses for people to live in the state? Is there a lack of rental housing for people who are unable to work due to a disability and live on government subsidies? Is there a lack of rental housing for people who do not work, can work and live on government subsidies? Is there a lack of rental housing for people who do work, but do not earn enough money to pay for all their personal and family expenses, especially for rent? Is there a shortage of one family homes in the state that cannot be purchased due to high property taxes and high mortgage rates? Is there a lack of housing for Senator Chris Murphy's "Undocumented Americans" to be developed into future voters?

 

Considering all of the above, please define the “Connecticut Housing Crisis” for me. However, before you do, kindly provide answers the following: 

If Connecticut has a shortage of housing, then where are these people living in Connecticut since they purportedly cannot afford rents or mortgages? In 2023, Connecticut has about 148,506 citizens live in subsidized housing (https://usafacts.org/answers/how-many-people-live-in-subsidized-housing/state/connecticut/). That is approximately .04% of the state's population. But to this point how many people are actually homeless in the state? Connecticut has a population of approximately 3, 625,000. We find that Connecticut has a "point in time" count in January. This  "is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. HUD requires that Continuums of Care (“CoC”s) conduct an annual count of people experiencing homelessness who are sheltered in emergency shelter, transitional housing, and Safe Havens on a given single night. CoCs also must conduct a count of unsheltered people experiencing homelessness every other year (odd numbered years). Each count is planned, coordinated, and carried out locally." (https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/hdx/pit-hic/#2025-pit-count-and-hic-guidance). For February 2025 they are apparently over "5,000" people homeless in the state. (https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/never-seen-it-this-bad-rates-of-homelessness-on-the-rise-in-connecticut/). That is .00137% of the state's population that is homeless.  According to the state budget, Connecticut funds fifty-three emergency shelters and thirty-nine transitional housing program state grants. If one contacts Connecticut's 211 network, they will find sixty-two homeless shelters that can be contacted. (https://www.211ct.org/searchterms=Homeless%20Shelters&page=1&location=Connecticut&service_area=connecticut). Connecticut will spend in for various Housing and Homeless services/programs/subsidies $101,123,923 in 2026 and $114,323,923 in 2027. If we focus on the "5,000" who are "homeless" one may wonder why these people cannot be sheltered if the state is spending over $100 million dollars on these programs to help them? (If you are keeping score at home, this translates to more than $20,000 expended each year for each purportedly homeless person).

Needless to say, any reasonable person with reasonable intelligence sees this situation and realizes that nothing seems to add up with this housing shortage situation. And regrettably, the ostensible insanity of “building where they ain’t,” continues. This past week a bi-partisan celebration of the building of 154 institutional-style housing units occurred. https://www.wshu.org/connecticut-news/2025-07-09/ct-new-britain-affordable-housing-crisis . Spiked by state loans, tax credits, and giveaways, the average $2,100 per month rental price of a unit here is well above what most in the “need of housing” class can pay. But I would assume this is not a problem since continual subsidies are perpetually imagined, as the rents collected from whatever sources continually fill the coffers of wealthy investors. However, no one ever seems to mention that once the subsidy payments outstrip the market rentals, this project like hundreds before will be on the fast track to becoming the next Father Panik Village or Barnum Court and will meet the same fate. Unfortunately, politicians lie and deceive themselves that they have a magic solution, however dollars and cents will always determine the outcome of any pipe dream or illusions.

But alas, there are far better solutions than the messes described above. Unless you watch my good friend, Tony De Angelo on “Thirty With Tony” or listen on the “Lee Elci Show,” you probably did not know that Connecticut currently has seventy-two “Qualified Opportunity Zones”. (OPPORTUNITY LOST -TONY DE ANGELO LEE ELCI 7- 8- 2025)  A Qualified Opportunity Zone is an economically distressed community located within the United States or its territories, designated for the purpose of attracting private and rental housing investment a and stimulating economic development through powerful Federal tax incentives conditioned upon a long term community commitment by the investor or builder (https://opportunityzones.com/location/connecticut/).  As Tony had mentioned on July 8, Connecticut is in such bad economic shape that almost a full third of the state could qualify as an economic Opportunity Zone under the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Further, a third of these new zones must be in rural areas! But in a high tax, excessively bureaucratic and Trump-hating state like Connecticut, there is little to no chance of either attracting investors into zones with no commitment to police and public safety and/or getting this exciting concept through the heads of politicians with severe cases of Trump Derangement Syndrome.

OPPORTUNITY LOST -TONY DE ANGELO LEE ELCI 7- 8- 2025

But why actually talk about propounding solutions that work since such solutions would eliminate the need for many redundant bureaucrats and political hangers-on? Can anyone rationally explain as to why the Connecticut Democrat Party wanted to force through the ill-conceived and draconian housing bill HB 5002 shifting zoning from the 169 cities, towns and villages to a state run, non-elected bureaucracy? Considering the above, it now makes sense since we now see that in a socialistic economy the citizen becomes more and more dependent upon the state governmental bureaucracy for every aspect of their life and their survival through subsidized housing, free state medical care, free public transportation and subsidized food.  Please take just one look at the figures mentioned earlier. Connecticut would be far better off if it consolidated taxpayer monies and fully audited the money it spends in housing and improve its efficiencies and allowed free market solutions to its "housing/homeless" crisis. Instead, it chooses a politically entrenched socialistic corridors of power for personal financial gain that continually worsens the problem. Such, is the "Connecticut Way"

Wasting time, money, and productive energy is a hallmark of the Democrat-driven Connecticut political system, so much that even when it is provided with workable and positive solutions will ignore them continually, only to drive society from bad to worse and forever ensure their employment and false sense of purpose.

Connecticut: The State of Legislative Criminal Forgiveness

 Connecticut's State Legislature has been a sad mess for years. 

The Connecticut State Legislature has seen multiple legislators, including (but not limited to) Robin Comey, Aundré Baumgartner, Geoff Luxenberg, Kevin Ryan, and Dennis Bradley face criminal charges ranging from driving under the influence (DUI) to campaign finance fraud.

Below is just a partial list of those that have offended the public trust in committing criminal acts.

Robin Comey: Arrested for DUI in March 2023 after a car crash near the Capitol, with blood alcohol levels nearly twice the legal limit, and removed from committee assignments. 

An earlier incident showed Ms. Comey making laws…while drunk.

Aundré Baumgartner: Arrested for DUI in March 2025 with blood alcohol levels over twice the legal limit, suspended from leadership roles, and entered a program for first-time offenders.

Geoff Luxenberg: Arrested for DUI in November 2023, removed from committees, and sought personal counseling.

Kevin Ryan: Had multiple DUI arrests, including a notable third in 2001 leading to 120 days in prison, yet retained office and won subsequent elections.

Dennis Bradley: Indicted in May 2021 on federal charges for defrauding the campaign finance system, with the case ongoing as of June 2024.

Every one of these people has returned to legislative service with the usual cries of “I am sorry” and “Let’s Move On.” However, in this past week we had another young lawmaker continuing in the great tradition giving yet another example of its disregard for laws of the land. The example is this week's debacle of Legislative Miscreantness is Democrat State Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan, a four-term lawmaker from Connecticut. 

Raghib was arrested Monday June 22, 2025 for allegedly failing to scan two items at a Target store in Bethel. He was arrested after police reviewed security video showing him attempting to leave the store with $26.69 in unpaid merchandise.

In reading Raghib’s biography one may be impressed in his qualifications as a young Democrat. For example, "Since 2018, Raghib has been at the forefront of shaping energy policy, pushing for renewable investments, stronger oversight of utilities, and greater protections for consumers."  

Connecticut Taxpayers may wonder if those greater protections for consumers include being able to freely shoplift goods for stores in Crime Free Democrat Connecticut. 

It adds; "Currently, he serves on the Energy and Technology, General Law, and Insurance and Real Estate Committees. A proud member of the legislature’s Moderate Caucus, Raghib has championed protections for domestic violence survivors, pushed back on overdevelopment, and advocated for Connecticut’s small businesses." 

Connecticut Taxpayers may wonder if he advocates to shoplifting at the few remaining Connecticut small businesses? 

Or how he feels about the obscene HB 5002 as far as over-development is concerned? 

In his standard statement of repentance after being caught shoplifting by hand carrying items out of the store, he stated that he remained committed to serving his community with “transparency and integrity". 

Connecticut Taxpayers may wonder if such transparency includes availing oneself of five-fingered discounts by using one’s fingers instead of shopping bags. 

Lastly in his bio is the inevitable virtuous statement of sexual preference;” An openly gay legislator, Raghib is a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and representation. He continues to reside in Bethel, where he remains deeply connected to the community he serves." 

Connecticut Taxpayers may wonder what does this have to do with anything with respect to governance or policy?

The story of his shoplifting is interesting as the New York Post reported more information on his alleged theft. In their article (https://nypost.com/2025/06/25/us-news/democrat-ct-lawmaker-busted-for-shoplifting-at-target-self-checkout-line-then-uses-ailing-granny-as-an-excuse/), we find out that; "A Democratic state representative from Connecticut busted for shoplifting after failing to scan items at a Target self-checkout offered a litany of excuses, including that he was “in a rush to bring items to my grandmother in the hospital.” State Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan was arrested Monday night at a Target store in Bethel, about 60 miles southwest of Hartford, after authorities reviewed security footage allegedly showing he neglected to scan two of his items, totaling $26.69 in value. He was detained by loss prevention personnel, who later told cops they recognized the four-term lawmaker from “previous unreported larcenies,”  

Connecticut Taxpayers may wonder how many times has the Democrat State Representative stolen from Target and other stores in the area?

Raghib posted the following statement on his Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/raghibct/) that “During a recent visit to the Bethel Target, two items in my armload of others were not scanned. I was in a rush to bring items to my grandmother in the hospital, the store didn’t have bags, and I was juggling multiple purchases”  It is interesting to note that Democrat State Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan voted for House Bill #7424 which outlaws evil plastic bags as noted from the bill; “On and after July 1, 2021, no owner or operator of a store shall provide or sell a single-use checkout bag to a customer.” What an irony for Raghib! No bags to use in the store! Democrat Socialism continually reaches its finest moments in Crime-Free Democrat Connecticut.

Based upon well-established past precedent, we know that the esteemed Democrat State Representative will blame everyone but himself, get a slap on the wrist and be able to keep his position, benefits and pension as a State Representative as long as he wants. His colleagues will view this and say to themselves “if I screw up, the same soft-landing will be waiting for me as I am entitled.”  There is no deterrent for being a criminal if you are a Democrat Connecticut state legislator. If you or I did this we would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Can you imagine if a Republican State Representative did this? Or the Governor? (No, scratch that. Why would one bother with guppies when one can bag whales?)   

But this is Crime Free Democrat Connecticut. But a better term would be “The Legislative Criminal Forgiveness State.” But alas, that type of forgiveness applies only to a very small subset of the population. 

House Bill 5002: Connecticut’s Horrific Housing Hell of Horrors

Ever since the dawn of the Republic, it has been the desire of about every happy and productive American to either buy or build their own home and go about living by their own chosen design. America is the land of free people, and many people developed their skills and talents to start on the trek to living life in the manner they wished in a place they could call their own home. All being well, the home was the economic driver for many trades and professions, and in the vast majority of cases the home became the single largest asset owned by many families, an asset that could be sold or passed on to the next generation.

Entire communities and economies were built around residential homes. Connecticut was a great leader in this effort with no state income tax until 1991 and a great commitment to community and value in its cities and towns. In the residential sections of our once great cities, skilled tradespeople and machinists of color left the racism and oppression of the south and came to work in the burgeoning Connecticut firearms industry. Their employment and hard work granted them fine homes and cars in the northern parts of Connecticut’s major cities. There was no welfare. None was needed. There were no cries of systemic racism. If the Black guy worked more hours that the White guy, he made more money and had a newer car and a bigger home. Life was not perfect, but it was simple, and it worked. And it worked up until the time of the enactment of the dastardly and economy-killing income tax 35 years ago and the shutdown of the firearms and manufacturing industries throwing many working class and Black people onto the welfare system.

But in Connecticut, citizens know nothing, and politicians know everything. This great politically based masterminding has disenfranchised people of color and the working class and thrown Connecticut into a perpetual, debt laden and welfare-burdened economic stupor. And the horror movies worsen every day. Regardless, (and undeterred), the Democrat-Socialist majority-driven political system is now doggedly proceeding to destroy the last vestige of economic freedom and security for legitimate and taxpaying citizens in this state, being their home. Therefore, enter House Bill 5002: Connecticut’s Horrific Housing Hell of Horrors.

As is standard procedure in Connecticut, journeys to economic and social destruction are preceded by the pontificators of the impending plague: "Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) issued the following statement today on House Bill 5002: "...“No matter how loud the anger, lies, and irrational voices get, we must remain steadfast in our mission to build more housing, lower costs, and grow the economy.” (https://www.senatedems.ct.gov/senators-looney-and-duff-release-statement-on-house-bill-5002-2). After systematically destroying the Connecticut economy over time, I, and many others did not realize that elitist/socialist State Senators Looney and Duff were experts in housing construction, experts in free market housing economics, Connecticut Taxpayer funded "affordable" housing and removing local control of land from Connecticut's 169 villages, towns and cities.  All in one big, beautiful, communistic/socialistic, power grab of a bill, the same HB5002.

 

Needless to say, the bill itself is the usual Connecticut Democrat Party mumbo-jumbo of incoherent gibberish that offers payouts to the politically connected in the state. The politically connected who know they can profit from it with its over one hundred amendments and supplements that have been added. Trying to read it all and actually understand the bill defies logic. (https://legiscan.com/CT/bill/HB05002/2025). It is inarguable that the bill is a true and classic rip off of the independence of local zoning laws, local land use laws and ultimately, the Connecticut Taxpayer. It promises a Utopian creation of all sorts of housing/transportation/affordability and a dream society that would be well beyond the reach of the collective mental candlepower of those comprising the Connecticut political and administrative system. Furthermore, this hellacious monstrosity proceeds as the state continues its economic decline to socialism and ruin with state government being the largest employer in the state, high taxes, a declining business environment and $100 to $150 billion dollars in short and long term debt along with unfunded liabilities in excess of any of the “fiscal guardrails” you may have heard of.  

But we know none of that does not bother the Connecticut Democrat Party in the least. Why should it? They know you are there to write the check.

Needless to say, the underlying grand design of this bill would be the Soviet-style veneration of a limited elite while working class areas will look like communist block homes of all the same sizes, color being gray, drab and uniform. Herein, the failed concept of the perpetual slum and the encouragement of vagrancy is once again resurrected, a concept that was reduced to a hail of gunfire, drugs, and gang violence in places like Father Panik Village in Bridgeport and Southfield Village in Stamford.

For example:

(https://www.cga.ct.gov/2025/ACT/PA/PDF/2025PA-00049-R00HB-05002-PA.PDF)

House Bill No. 5002
Public Act No. 25-49
AN ACT CONCERNING HOUSING AND THE NEEDS OF HOMELESS
PERSONS.

Page 9:Sec. 4. (Effective from passage) The Commissioner of Social Services
shall, within available appropriations, develop and administer a pilot
program to provide portable showers and laundry facilities to persons
experiencing homelessness. Such program shall be implemented in not
fewer than three municipalities and shall provide not less than three
portable shower trailers and not less than three traveling laundry trucks.
The commissioner may contract with one or more nonprofit
organizations to administer the program. Not later than January 1, 2027,
the commissioner shall submit a report on the success of the pilot
program, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the
general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General
Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to housing. The pilot
program shall terminate on January 1, 2027. 

Page 10:(1) "Affordable housing plan" means a plan for the development of
affordable housing units in a municipality pursuant to subsection (b) of
this section;
(2) "Affordable housing unit" means a dwelling unit conveyed by an
instrument containing a covenant or restriction that requires such
dwelling unit, for at least forty years after the initial occupation of the
unit, to be sold or rented at, or below, a price that will preserve the units
as housing for which persons and families pay thirty per cent or less of
their annual income where such person or family is considered a low-
income household, very low-income household or extremely low-
income household;
(3) "Compliance implementation mechanisms" means (A) changes to
a municipality's policies and procedures, and (B) proactive steps a
municipality may take in order to allow for the development of
affordable housing units, including, but not limited to, (i)
redevelopment of a site, (ii) seeking funding for the development of
affordable housing units or sewer infrastructure, (iii) donating
municipal land for development, and (iv) entering into agreements with
developers for a development that includes affordable housing units;

What does this mean? There are many examples from this bill that should alarm all property owners and taxpayers. The bureaucracy that this bill creates should be an impetus and impulsion to move out of Connecticut ASAP. It is a land grab pure and simple. Unions and the politically connected will cash in building the slums of the future, which slums with no state economy to speak of will then become the taxpayer-supported welfare projects of the future. Bad and out of control residents will eventually receive the protection of an eviction-free world where regardless of what they do, they will be guaranteed a roof over their head and ruin the residential experience for good residents. Drugs, (then-legal), crime, and gang violence will return. But do not talk to me. Talk to the esteemed Senators Duff and Looney, who claim this is “economic development.”

Home ownership is a constant debate in our economy. Affordable housing has been a debate in our economy for well over 50 years. How is "affordable" housing defined in our economy after billions of dollars has spent by all levels of government to make it more "affordable"? The definition of "affordable" housing seems to change constantly according to political needs and wants not from a prospective of economic needs and wants. It should be logical that the less governmental interference there is with the housing markets, the quicker free market solutions can take place to make housing "affordable". It worked simply fine before Democrat-centric politicians systematically began destroying the system and the Black working-class almost four decades ago. Connecticut through this hellacious HB 5002 wants to control the entire process of housing to protect the wealthy mansions of Greenwich where King Governor Ned Lamont The Unaccountable and his cronies reside while destroying the working middle class communities throughout the state, the places where families saved money and bought their own homes without governmental intervention and ridiculous zoning laws.  

HB 5002 goes against any type of common sense when it comes to this concept of "affordable" housing. The costs of this bill for both the town and state are astronomical. My question to Martin Looney, Bob Duff and the Connecticut Democrat Party is how many homeless people do you have living in your spacious homes? Any? And what gives you the right to control housing in the state? Just more madness and controlled destruction, compliments of a political regime out of touch with any reality, and not caring the least bit about any of that.