Southbury is picturesque, with historic charm and architecture, scenic beauty, a bustling business district and tight-knit community. But like many small towns in Connecticut, we face an underlying challenge: affordable housing. While we can boast a rich cultural heritage and an enviable quality of life, the lack of affordable housing options poses a threat to our economic vitality. It's time to recognize that affordable housing isn't just a social issue—it's a cornerstone of sustainable economic development.
The housing shortage crisis facing our state, and our nation, must be solved at the local level; and not just by cities. Connecticut doesn’t have a Big Apple, or a Beantown. Our identity is: Small Town America. Small towns, like small businesses, are the lifeblood of Connecticut's economy, contributing to its cultural heritage and providing a unique quality of life. It’s why we live here. But the lack of affordable housing presents a barrier to economic growth and development. As young professionals, families, and seniors increasingly struggle to find housing they can afford, our workforce becomes transient, our local businesses struggle to attract and retain employees, and our tax base will stagnate.
Affordable housing is not just about meeting the basic needs of residents; it is a catalyst for economic prosperity. Here's why:
1. Workforce Attraction and Retention: Small businesses are the backbone of local economies in small towns. However, these businesses often find it challenging to attract and retain qualified employees due to the lack of affordable housing options. By investing in affordable housing, we can create a stable workforce, ensuring that businesses have the talent they need to grow and thrive.
2. Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Affordable housing provides individuals with the stability and security they need to pursue entrepreneurial ventures. When our residents aren't burdened by high housing costs, they have the financial flexibility to invest in their ideas, start businesses, and drive innovation in our community. This entrepreneurial spirit can lead to the creation of new jobs and industries, fostering economic diversification and resilience.
3. Community Revitalization: Affordable housing initiatives can inject new life into our town, with an increase in younger residents, and retaining our legacy citizens, fostering community spirit. By rehabilitating vacant or underutilized properties, we can attract new residents and businesses, spur investment, and enhance property values. Vibrant, diverse communities are more attractive to tourists and prospective residents, driving economic growth through increased spending and property tax revenues.
4. Aging Population: Southbury has an aging population, with a growing number of seniors facing housing insecurity. Affordable housing options tailored to the needs of seniors—such as accessible housing, supportive services, and age-restricted communities—enable older adults to age in place with dignity. By allowing seniors to remain in their communities, affordable housing supports intergenerational connections, volunteerism, and local spending, bolstering the economy.
5. Fiscal Responsibility: Investing in affordable housing is not just a social imperative; it's also a smart fiscal decision. Stable housing increases a healthy lifestyle and reduces reliance on costly emergency services, such as ambulance, saving taxpayer dollars in the long run. Counter to common beliefs, statistically there is minimal increase, less than .02%, in student enrollment, with little increase in public services. Yet, affordable housing generates revenue for local governments through real estate and personal property taxes, spurring economic growth, putting more feet on Main Street, far exceeding any potential burden to taxpayers.
In conclusion, affordable housing is a necessity to economic development in Southbury. By addressing the housing needs of our residents, we can unlock their full economic potential, attract investment, and create a vibrant, resilient community for generations to come. It's time for us to prioritize affordable housing as a cornerstone of sustainable economic growth.
Kevin Bielmeier
Economic Development Director
Town of Southbury
EcoDevDirector@southbury-ct.gov
(203) 262-0683
[This article first appeared in Southbury Neighbors magazine.]