Support for Affordable Housing in Woodbridge

Dear Town Plan and Zoning Commission: 

We write to express our support of a change in zoning policy to allow more multi-family housing throughout Woodbridge’s residential districts, as requested in the application made by Open Communities Alliance in partnership with the Yale Law School on September 29th of this year.

We believe years of zoning policy that mandates large lots has kept both economic and racial and ethnic diversity out of Woodbridge. 

As residents, we support more affordable housing in our town.  Zoning to allow for affordable housing would increase the economic, racial and ethnic diversity of our town, which would strengthen our schools and our community.  Racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately low income because of historic discriminatory practices. As one example, redlining prevented black homeownership and the accumulation of wealth through property ownership.

Affordable housing in our town would also allow those with lower incomes to benefit from all our town has to offer, including excellent schools. We don’t believe that level of income should dictate access to high quality public education. There is an affordable housing crisis affecting the residents of cities across our country, including New Haven, a city where many Woodbridge residents enjoy job and cultural opportunities.To be good citizens, we must look to do what is fair, not just what is convenient. 

We also believe it will cost the town more to fight this change than to embrace it. Since our zoning violates state and federal housing laws meant to protect access to affordable housing, it is only a matter of time until we will be forced to change. And, Arguments against the change to our zoning policies don’t add up. Infrastructure improvements (sewer and water) can be made, if needed. Transportation modes can be adapted (and families that need affordable housing often have cars). 

We believe the culture of our town will be strengthened, not destroyed, when we are welcoming and redefine our community to be less about the privilege of living here and more about providing equal opportunity to those who wish to live here.

 In short, we are in support of the proposal and believe it will improve our town. 

Residents of Woodbridge    Contact the author of the petition