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Hartford mayor proposes $6.5 million housing investment, pledges no tax increase
Summary
In the March 24 address the mayor said the proposed budget would not raise residents' taxes, invests $6.5 million to increase homeownership opportunities and includes a program to help city employees buy homes; details and eligibility were not specified in the speech.
Hartford Mayor (name not provided) told the Court of Common Council on March 24 that the administration's budget proposal includes no tax increases and a $6,500,000 investment aimed at expanding homeownership opportunities for Hartford residents.
"With the help of this council, we invested $6,500,000 in housing in the city of Hartford that will lead to homeownership for Hartford residents," the mayor said, adding that the city will also work to make mortgages more affordable. He said the administration will make it possible for city employees — including firefighters, teachers and police officers — "to purchase a home in the city of Hartford without having to pay a single cent for their mortgage." The mayor did not provide details on eligibility criteria, duration of the assistance or financing mechanics during the address.
The mayor also discussed rental housing enforcement. He described creation of a problem-landlords task force that compiled and published a list of landlords deemed "worst landlords" and said the city increased penalties and enforcement for property owners who fail to maintain safe, habitable units. "We published their names and the cities they lived in," he said.
On renters' protections, the mayor said the administration will work with the council to make renters insurance more accessible and affordable and reiterated that the city will enforce property standards and penalties for noncompliant landlords.
He said one problem landlord threatened to sue him personally after tenants complained, and he framed the task force's work as part of a vow to residents that "if you refuse to take care of your property, you will not be able to hide in the city of Hartford."
The address included no ordinance text, vote, or eligibility rules for the homeowner or employee-homebuying commitments. Those program mechanics, funding sources beyond the stated $6.5 million allocation and implementation timelines were not specified and would require council review and formal approval.
