Expansion of Fair Rent Commissions draws support from tenant advocates and lawyers; municipalities ask for regional approach

Several witnesses urged the Housing Committee to expand fair rent commissions statewide, saying local boards give tenants an accessible forum to challenge steep rent increases and unsafe housing. Legal aid attorneys, fair-housing groups and tenant advocates described cases where commissions resolved large, destabilizing rent hikes without protracted litigation. Sarah White and other members of the Connecticut Fair Housing Center said commissions have revived in recent years and produce practical results: advocates described instances where commissions reduced or delayed rent hikes until repairs were made, keeping tenants housed. The Fair Housing Center and Connecticut Voices for Children urged the committee to require towns to create or join commissions, allowing regional or COG-based panels for smaller municipalities. Municipal groups and Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST) supported the goal but asked for a phased implementation and regional options to avoid an unfunded mandate on tiny towns. COST recommended better-defined regional mechanics and a multi-year phase‑in so councils of governments (COGs) can develop joint commissions. Housing providers and managers noted operational concerns and urged standardization: they asked for uniform training, due‑process rules for hearings, and written decisions that explain the reasoning — recommendations the association said would reduce post‑hearing litigation and improve predictability. Committee takeaway: Broad support for the policy objective — giving tenants a way to contest rent increases — but differences on implementation. Supporters want relatively quick state action to add protections; municipal groups asked for regional, phased approaches and clarity about costs and procedures.