There has been a constant and outgoing outcry over what Developers can and cannot do in Milford. Personally I have and will always remain an advocate of individual property rights and support the rights of homeowners to do as they see fit to do on their own property; so long as, what they choose to do is reasonable, logical and does not infringe on the freedom and liberty of their neighbors. This is where the issue of Giant corporations and mega developments under the color of law come in, mainly 8-30G or what should have been named “the Slumlord Dream Act.” The idea of Affordable housing is a fair and just cause. The state has crafted such laws with the intent to help low income residents in our state. Ct has a very interesting mix of people, from the very wealthy in Fairfield County, to the very poor in cities like Hartford, New Haven, Waterbury and Bridgeport.
Very soon the influx of refugees from Central America will be looking for housing as well. These low skilled workers will pose a significant challenge to the housing markets everywhere. Many of these individuals are un-educated non English speaking laborers, and will be struggling to compete in a market that is becoming increasingly automated by machines, robots and computers. The future of unskilled labor in America is in question, as is the challenges posed by those in College and Grad school today, whom are also burdened with over One Trillion in student loan debt.
So the dynamic has become somewhat of a paradox that limits and hinders all but Japanese style living in cramped and compact quarters. This should also bring into question the term “Affordable,” is this sincere or is this "code" for developers to make their mega construction projects more socially palatable. We also must wonder and consider who 8-30G was written for, the Developers or the Poor? I think if you follow the money you will get an answer that is “crystal clear.”
Overdevelopment follows a cycle, cities become dense, quality of life is denigrated, our open space is decimated and our taxes are all but abated. Congestion and traffic and noise pollution on our roads and bridges will require more maintenance and repair, while those liberals who sought out to set housing victims free will watch those they championed toil and remain in despair.
America is a place where people come to aspire and dream, this is a place where Freedom and rule of Law are what ought to be. We look at one another and see where we all came from, most Americans have their roots on Ellis Island others won lotteries for citizenship and some made America their home by way of family and marriage. To live and work in America is an honor, a privilege, and a blessing. It’s not a right, an entitlement or a debt owed to someone.
No matter how we have come to be here in America, and for many of us Milford, everyone desires to live in an affordable home with their family or perhaps on their own terms. Everyone has a right to survive, and everyone has a right to pursue their own happiness as they see fit.
Right now here in our Great city, many of us feel that our environment, and open space are more valuable than the erection of those housing projects that will densely pack in countless people into our community for a hefty profit to a developer or corporation.
Many of us have and will continue to argue that Milford already has enough affordable housing despite the false and misrepresented figures offered by our local Developers. Some things they fail to consider are the record low interest rates afforded first time home buyers, the countless HAMP modifications that made existing homes affordable, the innumerable houses in town that sold for under $350,000.00 and of course the myriad of other places one can live and work for a fraction of the cost of living in our state. This should all be proof enough that our state and town is doing just fine.
Rarely do we read in the paper that families are complaining about the lack of affordable housing, but we do constantly hear about builders and their lawyers fighting our P&Z boards and writing nasty letters accusing innocent people of the vulgarities of racism, bigotry and the like vitriol that I personally believe is their disdain for free thinking people whom have been awakened to the reality that these Developers are just bullies and have little to no interest in keeping homes affordable.
With all this said I therefore must applaud the people of our community to have the insight and forethought to see this state statue for what it is… a legal tool that greedy developers abuse for their own rational interests. It gives me great delight to see the people of Milford fight and fight back as hard as the developers do. This, my friends, is the way to remind the bullies with bulldozers that we decide what is best for our town NOT THEM. Keep up the good fight, because this is not yet over!
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