Housing + Law: A Conversation with Connecticut State Lawmakers

CT Representative Nick Menapace, Member, Planning & Development Committee

Nick Menapace is the newly elected State Representative for Connecticut’s 37th District, representing East Lyme, Salem, and Montville. A dedicated educator, Nick continues to work as a teacher, bringing firsthand experience of education's challenges and opportunities to his public service role. Nick ran for office to address issues like affordability, education, and housing. He continues to serve on the East Lyme Planning Commission. With a passion for creating equitable policies and advocating for working families, Nick aims to ensure that all district residents have the resources and opportunities to thrive.

Sean Ghio, Policy Director, Partnership for Strong Communities

Sean joined the Partnership as Policy Director in 2017. He leads the Partnership’s statewide advocacy efforts on affordable housing. He is responsible for overseeing the Partnership’s research, analysis and housing policy recommendations.

Early in his career he worked as a local town planner on Cape Cod learning local land use requirements of housing creation. Sean worked many years as Director of Information Services at 2-1-1, where he gained experience in how deeply housing insecurity impacts families.

As Program Officer at Local Initiatives Support Corporation in Hartford, Sean provided technical assistance and grant-making to community-based organizations developing affordable housing across Connecticut. He supported community partners in neighborhood housing planning, program development and implementation. Sean graduated from Connecticut College with a B.A. in Economics.

Evonne Klein, Former Commissioner of Housing, State of Connecticut

Evonne Klein served as the first Commissioner of Housing for the State of Connecticut in over 30 years during the Malloy Administration from 2013-2019, leading the establishment of Connecticut’s Department of Housing. 

As Co-Chair of the Connecticut Fair Housing Working Group she helped shape and supported a number of zoning reform legislation including state-wide inclusionary zoning, changes to the Zoning Enabling Act, and the expansion of housing authority jurisdictions. Most recently, Klein served as CEO of the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, a statewide organization whose mission is to prevent and end homelessness. 

Klein also served as the First Selectwoman of the Town of Darien from 2003-2009 where she worked with property and business owners to revitalize Downtown Darien; formed Darien’s Affordable Housing Advisory Commission; adopted an Affordable Housing Plan; and spearheaded the adoption and implementation of Darien’s Inclusionary Zoning Regulation.

CT Senator Martha Marx, Co-Chair, Housing Committee

Martha Marx represents Bozrah, East Lyme, Montville, New London, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Salem, Waterford and lives in New London. Marx graduated from St. Bernard’s School in 1981. She earned a degree in nursing from the University of Connecticut in 1985. Her career experience includes working as a nurse. She is Co-Chair of the Housing Committee, Vice Chair of the Public Health Committee, and a member of the Insurance and Real Estate Committee, among others.

Mayor Michael Passero, City of New London 

Michael Passero has served as Mayor of the City of New London since December 7, 2015. He previously served three terms, from 2009-2015, on the New London City Council, including serving as the first City Council President from 2011-2013. He earned a B.A. and Master’s degree in English literature from Connecticut College. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. Prior to becoming Mayor he served 31 years as a member of the New London Fire Department and practiced law with the Law Firm of John M. Creane in Milford for 25 years.