A Way to Help Bridgeport’s Current Municipal Budget Crisis

July 20, 2008

Standing in the field of weeds that is currently Steel Point, the proposed 52-acre waterfront development, former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards brought his “Half in Ten Campaign” to cut poverty in America in half over the next ten years. 

John Edwards stressed that developments like Steel Point must provide affordable housing and jobs, key components to reducing poverty.  He noted that Bridgeport is a city ranked as one of the poorest in the state but situated in one of the richest counties in the nation. 

To Bridgeport’s elected officials, Steel Point represents new tax revenues that over time will build a stronger tax base.  However, in the current economic downturn, some of Bridgeport’s development projects, like Steel Point, seem stalled or are proceeding slowly. 

But Bridgeport doesn’t have to wait for these development projects to get off the ground or be completed to achieve better tax revenues.  There are other strategies that have proven to be a viable means of economic development that are being followed by other cities in the state.  These strategies can prove just as effective in serving our citizens and broadening our tax base: (1) the development of affordable housing, and (2) increasing employment for Bridgeport’s unemployed residents.

Inclusionary zoning policies create new affordable rental and home ownership opportunities by requiring or providing incentives to developers to reserve a specific percentage of units in new residential developments for low and moderate-income families.  A Jobs Funnel program recruits, trains and places unemployed residents in well-paid construction jobs at these developments.

Steel Point:  Opportunity for Affordable Housing and Jobs

Last year Bridgeport residents engaged in community-wide conversations regarding the Steel Point deal with the City of Bridgeport.  Hundreds mobilized at City Hall and many more signed petitions to the Governor, all asking for community benefits for Bridgeport residents -- affordable housing, jobs, and contracts for minority firms – at Steel Point. 

The City of Bridgeport hired outside consultants to engage our community in developing a Housing Policy and a Master Plan of Development.  These plans recommend establishing policies to support the development of housing for all income levels and explicitly call for an inclusionary zoning policy. 

To date, Bridgeport has made no attempt to incorporate into current development projects affordable housing that is affordable to Bridgeport residents who are earning at or below the Bridgeport median income.  Without an inclusionary zoning ordinance, Bridgeport’s affordable housing crisis will continue to grow.

BCAC organized a workshop for Bridgeport City Council members with City officials from Stamford who described their city’s inclusionary zoning policy and the substantial benefits that it has generated for their residents. 

Similarly, the Hartford Jobs Funnel program and its successes in placing Hartford residents – African-Americans and Latinos, those with less than a high school education, and the homeless -- in high-paying jobs were highlighted.   The message was clear; where there’s municipal will, there’s a way to make inclusionary zoning and a Jobs Funnel program work for the benefit of a community.

Time to Act

Our citizens are struggling.  What could be more important than providing jobs and housing for Bridgeport residents?

Policies and programs that support our families will provide increased revenues for our City.  Other cities, like Stamford, Norwalk and Hartford understand this.

The summer before he was elected, Bridgeport’s new Mayor made a campaign pledge to support inclusionary zoning.   We call on Mayor Bill Finch and Bridgeport’s City Council to adopt an inclusionary zoning ordinance to support the development of affordable housing for Bridgeport families who are paying more than 50% of their income for housing, and provide city support for a Jobs Funnel program to bring jobs to unemployed Bridgeport residents. 

Will our Mayor and City Council respond?

Margie Powell and Marta Calderon, Co-Chairs

Family Economic Security Task Force

Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition

 

Soraya Bilbao

BCAC Senior Staff Associate