Affordable Houseing Plan Scorecard

Chaplin

Windham County

Created By

Connecticut’s severe lack of affordable housing can be felt in Windham County, where nearly 20% of homerenters and 30% of homeowners with a mortgage are cost-burdened, spending 30% or more of their income on housing-related costs. To address the affordable housing crisis, the Connecticut legislature passed General Statutes Sec. 8-30j in 2017, requiring every municipality to adopt an affordable housing plan by June 1, 2022. As of June 2024, 14 out of 16 towns in Windham County have adopted plans.

These plans represent an opportunity for towns and cities to demonstrate their commitment to meaningful local action that will create more affordable homes in Windham communities. According to the Planning for Affordability in Connecticut guidebook published by the Connecticut Department of Housing in December 2020, town plans should outline tangible steps for increasing access to housing for people of all income levels, backgrounds and stages of life in all communities. You can read the affordable housing plan adopted by the town here.

Points

Affordable Housing Plan Submitted (5 points)
On Time (5 points)

10/10

Planning Process

Plan had invested and inclusive leadership

2.5/3
Planning process had a communications strategy

0/3
Planning process was inclusive with meaningful opportunities for community participation

0/7
Plan articulates a community values statement

1/2
Planning Process total score

3.5/15

Housing Needs Assessment

Plan includes local history and context of affordable housing

1/3
Plan includes housing needs assessment

10/18
Plan includes land use and zoning assessment

6/7
Plan includes regional and state housing market analysis

1/2
Housing Needs Assessment total score

18/30

Action & Implementation

Plan outlines already existing or ongoing efforts to increase affordable housing

2/6
Plan includes goals

1/7
Plan includes actions and implementation strategies

4/32
Action & Implementation total score

7/45

Total and Score

Total Points

38.5/100
Affordable Housing Plan Score

1.9

The criteria used in this scorecard was developed using the guidance outlined in the Planning for Affordability in CT guidebook created by the Connecticut Department of Housing and Regional Plan Association.

This work was supported by the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut. The Affordable Housing Plans were reviewed and scored by the Center for Housing Equity and Opportunity, DesegregateCT and Regional Plan Association.