Making Home Happen with Connecticut Housing Partners

Connecticut homeowners are getting crushed by the 2025 property tax revaluations and there was a law on the books that could have helped. Melissa and housing expert Renée Dobos of Connecticut Housing Partners break down the Connecticut Homestead Exemption Act, a little-known statute that would allow towns to reduce owner-occupied home assessments by up to $50,000. So why does almost no one know about it? And why did Stratford — one of the only towns that tried to adopt it — have to drop the idea before it even got off the ground? Renee also shares what she and the Connecticut Housing Partners team took to Capitol Hill during their recent NeighborWorks trip, including a push for increased federal funding as Connecticut faces a shortage of over 300,000 housing units. Plus, Melissa makes the case for why transportation infrastructure — not just inventory — needs to be part of the affordable housing conversation in Connecticut.

Connecticut's housing shortage has hit a breaking point — and the numbers don't lie. Housing expert Renee Dobos of Connecticut Housing Partners joins Melissa in the Morning on WICC 600 to break down the state's 360,000-unit housing deficit, a 43% spike in homelessness since 2021, and the controversial Senate Bill 151 that could reshape zoning laws statewide. If you rent, own, or care about where Connecticut is headed, this conversation is for you.

CEO Renee Dobos joined Melissa in the Morning on WICC to discuss Connecticut’s housing crisis, the rise of rental deserts, and why increasing rental housing supply is critical for communities across the state. Also spotlighting CHP’s ongoing development, rehabilitation, and supportive housing work across Connecticut — reinforcing our commitment to building stable homes and stronger communities.

In our monthly housing check-in on Melissa in the Morning on WICC, Renee Dobos, CEO of Connecticut Housing Partners, shares her perspective on Connecticut’s newly signed housing law. Renee walks through what the legislation includes, what it leaves out, and why long-standing challenges around housing supply, municipal control, and affordability are still front and center.

With Connecticut’s special legislative session underway, housing legislation moved to the center of the conversation but not without questions. During her monthly check-in on Melissa in the Morning on WICC, Renee Dobos, CEO of Connecticut Housing Partners, addressed concerns around unclear housing proposals, limited transparency, and what the legislation could actually mean for housing supply across Connecticut. As the housing shortage continues, we are emphasizing the need for clear policy, real enforcement, and legislation that leads to more rental and workforce housing, not just discussion.

It’s official! We’ve closed on the former Holiday Inn in downtown Bridgeport. The long-vacant property will be redeveloped into 97 new apartments, expanding housing opportunities for Bridgeport residents and supporting continued downtown revitalization. During her monthly conversation on Melissa in the Morning on WICC, CEO, Renee Dobos, shared this milestone and discussed CHP’s role in advancing the project. The redevelopment reflects our ongoing commitment to transforming underutilized buildings into homes that strengthen communities and support long-term stability.

Governor Lamont decided to veto House Bill 5002, a massive housing bill meant to address our ongoing housing crisis in the state. Despite a special session to tackle the legislation in the fall, there is reaction to that veto still erupting across the state. We got perspective from Renee Dobos, CEO of Connecticut Housing Partners.

Renee Dobos, President of Connecticut Housing Partners, gives perspective on the massive housing bill just passed through the Connecticut House and Senate, but still waiting for the governor’s signature.

A Stamford teacher revealed a reality of housing insecurity in our state and WHO is really impacted by this. Her testimony may surprise you; we spoke about her story and the general issue with affordable workforce housing availability in our state with Renee Dobos, CEO of CT Housing Partners.

We know there’s a housing crisis in Connecticut and for the first time in years, we may see solutions to create fair, affordable housing opportunities. We got the scoop from Renee Dobos, CEO of CT Housing Partners and housing expert on Melissa in the Morning on WICC.

In the governor’s budget address, he said the state will continue a $400 million investment per year in housing. But are the housing priorities that were presented enough to create more workforce, affordable housing? We asked our housing expert, Renee Dobos, CEO of CT Housing Partners.

The legislative session is beginning later this month and we know housing will be a major discussion in Hartford. Let’s look at what can be done to create more affordable, workforce housing in the state. Renee Dobos, CEO of CT Housing Partners, is here to weigh in.

Connecticut continues to struggle creating affordable workforce housing. That’s why we check in every month with Connecticut Housing Partners. The non-profit has been creating affordable workforce housing in our state for the last 30 years and this week, there’s a huge update on a critical affordable housing project in Bridgeport. Renee Dobos, CEO of CT Housing Partners, shared the news about a $15,000 grant to support development of Merton House II.

There is an ongoing problem with senior housing options in the state. Many seniors report long wait lists and unaffordable options. We spoke with Renee Dobos of Connecticut Housing Partners for a snapshot of the problem and what can be done to fix it.

It's no secret, finding an affordable place to live in Connecticut is a tall task. And for the people seeking help from the state, the housing crisis isn’t just impacting renters or buyers. A new report highlighted worker burnout for housing case workers. Renee Dobos, CEO of Connecticut Housing Partners, talked about the housing worker burnout and also a change in the tide when it comes to allowing new housing development in the state.

34% of Connecticut’s population are renters, but despite the arrival of more housing options, a small percentage of those options are considered affordable. Renee Dobos of Connecticut Housing Partners discusses the concerns about uneducated views on “affordable housing,” the push-back from towns regarding overpopulation and the need for an equal tax base.

It’s nothing to celebrate; a new report reveals Connecticut is the worst state in the country to rent in. We spoke with Renee Dobos, CEO of CT Housing Partners, about the findings and what we can do to improve renting challenges in our state.