Connecticut leaders unveil bipartisan housing growth bill, call for special-session vote

Selah Musquera Bruno, commissioner for the Connecticut Department of Housing, opened a news event announcing a bipartisan housing growth bill crafted with legislators, the governor, municipalities and housing advocates. "This bill...has been the result of collaboration among legislators, our governor, lieutenant governor, our municipalities, and also, housing advocates," Bruno said.

The package, officials said, combines statewide goals with local flexibility. Majority Leader Jason Rojas described the measure as the product of compromise after difficult talks and framed it as focused on three goals: supporting families and individuals, growing the economy and strengthening communities. "Failure is not an option," Rojas said of efforts to address the housing shortage.

Gov. Lamont said the administration will release the bill text "within hours" and requested lawmakers convene a special session to consider it. He outlined several implementation priorities: encouraging conversion of underused commercial parcels and surface parking into housing,…