David DeFronzo, who is running for state representative in the open 26th Assembly District, has announced a series of initiatives for, “the state to play a more direct role in the financing and oversight of affordable housing statewide.”
DeFronzo called for urgent action by the state, saying, “We need to address this issue now.”
“People are facing higher rents,” said DeFronzo, “more evictions and more disruption to their daily lives because of housing insecurity.”
DeFronzo’s campaign cited a 14.1% increase in homelessness in the state in 2024, citing, “the loss of federal pandemic funding, increases in utility costs, increased inflation numbers and rising rents,” adding that, “in June alone over 2,000 people in Connecticut experienced homelessness.”
DeFronzo called for changes in state law to address the crisis.
“In the short term,” said DeFronzo, “the state should repeal the law that prevents cities and towns from establishing their own rent caps and require local Fair Rent Commissions to have at least 45% of their members be tenants.”
He also wants the state to impose penalties on cities that should have established a Fair Rent Commission, but have not. His campaigns says that, “Of the 45 cities required to have a Fair Rent Commission by state law only 20 have one.” New Britain has a Fair Rent Commission.
“A Fair Rent Commission is often the first place a tenant can turn to for help,” said DeFronzo. “Cities have had over two years to put their commissions together; the ones who haven’t done it need to know the state will hold them accountable.”
In another move, DeFronzo is seeking changes in, “how and when new landlords can raise rents.” His campaign said that, “Currently, when a new owner buys a property, they can raise the rent at any time.”
“I do not think a new owner should be allowed to raise rents for six months to a year after purchasing a property,” said DeFronzo, adding, “people shouldn’t get a huge rent increase just because their building is sold.”
DeFronzo also proposes action to address the availability of affordable housing units, noting that, “The truth is building affordable housing isn’t that affordable.”
“We need to make sure the state provides reasonable incentives to developers while ensuring the housing being built will be affordable long term,” DeFronzo said.
But DeFronzo pointed to New Britain’s present housing policy as not reflecting, “the needs of the community.”
“The new buildings downtown look great but they are just not affordable to most people,” DeFronzo noted. “Ultimately, they will drive up the cost of other rental units making our overall housing stock more unaffordable.”
DeFronzo said that tax breaks to housing developers should be conditioned on a certain level of affordable housing.
DeFronzo’s campaign explained his plans for developing more affordable housing, saying,
Long term, DeFronzo said, state financing, conditioned on the guarantee of mixed income accommodations and a fixed rental structure that stabilizes rents over the period of financing, perhaps for up to thirty years, can incentivize development and achieve the purpose of limiting rent increases without the need to create costly new regulatory bureaucracies.
DeFronzo, a former City Council member, is the endorsed Democratic candidate for the 26th Assembly District in an election for the seat, that is open this year after Rep. Peter Tercyak (D-26) announced his retirement, after serving the district for 21 years.
Another Democratic former Council member, Aram Ayalon, is challenging DeFronzo for the Democratic nomination for State Representative. Ayalon, who also served on the Board of Education has received enough petition signatures to qualify for an August 13th primary, when Democratic registered voters will determine their party’s nominee.
In addition to DeFronzo and Ayalon, Republican Board of Education member Barbara Marino (R) is seeking the seat.
