We-Ha.com welcomes Letters to the Editor from the public, including endorsements. Letters submitted by political candidates will be considered for publication up to 14 days prior to an election and most will be published within 48 hours of receipt. Letters that contain personal attacks or include profanity of any type will not be published. Rebuttals to letters should be submitted as a separate document, and commenting on letters will no longer be permitted. Please provide your full name and town, as well as your phone number at the end of the letter. Phone numbers will not be published but are required in case verification is needed. Please submit letters to [email protected].

To the Editor,

Bottom-feeding politicians like to blow the dog whistle about “affordable housing.” Apparently, this election season is no exception in Connecticut and West Hartford. But what do we really know from the work already underway by the Advisory Housing Advocacy Group that will report to the Town Manager and Town Council later this year?

We know that West Hartford is already nationally rated as one of the most attractive places to live and work in America. Our housing market is booming, the town already offers more housing affordability than other inner-ring suburban communities in the state. We have a significant number of developers already pursuing investments in new multi-family housing that blends higher end and market rate units with long-term dedicated affordable units that may also include commercial mixed use. This is especially important at a time when West Hartford has a number of major redevelopment opportunities in several areas of town that are also convenient to public transportation and existing neighborhood amenities.

So, let’s just ignore all the political stereotyping and out-dated notions. Nothing is going to change the predominance of single-family housing here. Affordable housing for West Hartford mostly means more one- and two-bedroom choices targeted to moderate incomes. Every bit of credible research demonstrates that this is an opportunity to increase the town’s economic competitiveness, grow our tax base to the benefit of all residents, strengthen the life of our community and do the right thing. No wonder the town advisory group’s survey of community opinion shows very positive support for adding quality, moderate-income affordable housing choice.

Kevin B. Sullivan
West Hartford