State technical‑assistance grant advances; RiverCOG proposes website, trainings and videos to support municipal housing engagement

Pat Bands, chair of the Regional Housing Committee, opened a virtual meeting where staff and municipal representatives discussed a proposed CT Department of Housing technical‑assistance grant to support regional public engagement on housing.

Ben Lovejoy of the Connecticut Department of Housing said the department has given soft approval for the funds and completed preliminary legal review. ‘‘We’re in, at least on my side of things, in really good shape,’’ he said, adding the draft contract must clear the Attorney General’s office before a notice of award and signatures are issued. Once fully executed, payment would follow and RiverCOG could begin deliverables.

RiverCOG staff outlined the scope of work, saying the project’s objective is ‘‘to assist our municipalities with laying the groundwork for more affordable housing consistent with the 8‑30j plans’’ by producing centralized resources and training. Proposed deliverables include a housing resource website to host commissioner training modules, short public education videos, and fact sheets. Staff recommended beginning with a standalone, marketable URL (built on Wix) that could later be absorbed into RiverCOG’s site, and using RiverCOG’s established YouTube account to host videos.

The training package would include a minimum of four modules that towns can deliver themselves or make available online for self‑directed use; each module would include lesson plans, interactive activities and an assessment component. RiverCOG also proposed an internship to support filming and marketing for short, graphic videos intended for social media and town use.

On the administrative side, staff described a standard contract workflow: RiverCOG’s scope would be converted into a contract, undergo DOH internal legal review and then be sent to the Attorney General’s office for final clearance. Legal reviewers asked for clarifying language on a few minor points; DOH and RiverCOG staff said they will meet to resolve those items and refile the contract.

Committee members raised concerns about messaging and public receptivity. Several participants suggested avoiding vague language such as ‘‘preserving small‑town character’’ in contract text because it is hard to define and can be interpreted as exclusionary. Staff recommended alternative framing (for example, focusing on ‘‘places where we would like to see more housing’’) and suggested using visual preference exercises to illustrate how different designs and densities affect streetscapes.

The committee agreed to follow up with a technical meeting among DOH and RiverCOG staff to finalize website logistics, video hosting and contract clarifications. There was no quorum for any formal action at the meeting.

The next procedural step is for DOH to address legal comments and send the finalized contract to the Attorney General’s office; staff estimated a notice of award could follow when the AG completes review.