With: Susmitha Attota, AICP, CZEO – Planning and Zoning Administrator, Town of Stratford
The issue of “affordability” becomes more significant for persons and families earning less than 80 percent of the median income. Affordable housing refers to housing that a household can obtain while spending no more than 30% of their gross income on housing-related costs, including rent, mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and utilities. According to HUD (Housing and Urban Development), the median household income in 2020 for the Stratford area was $98,000. Then, when broken down by household size, the 80% threshold equates to about:
1 -person HH $55,000
2 -person HH $63,000
3-person HH $71,000
4-person HH $78,000
5+ -person HH $85,000+
These numbers are subject to change each year.
According to Susmitha Attota, the Stratford Housing Plan Document: Plan Stratford, and the town’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) for the years 2023 to 2033, document current conditions in town and provide a guide for its future over the next ten years. It is based on the realities of the resources and constraints that are present.
Everyone wants their housing to be more affordable, however, housing choices may not be as available for people earning less than the median income. Statistically, half the people in Stratford earn less than the median income so it can be a “double challenge” to meet their housing needs and address affordability needs.
One of the challenges in addressing housing needs is that the lead time to actually produce housing is so long. Even when Stratford recognizes a need for, say, elderly housing, it can take years to identify a site, acquire the land, design the housing, engage a builder, and construct the housing. This all assumes the funding is available.
Residential properties occupy almost half of the Town’s land area. Stratford has approximately 22,000 housing units, two-thirds (66%) of which are single-family units. Stratford is mostly associated with older single-family neighborhoods, although the majority of recent residential development has been multifamily complexes or buildings. These developments have occurred primarily within the Town Center, in and around the Transit-Oriented Development Zone (TOD), which was established in 2015 and includes a mix of civic uses.
Since less than 10% of housing units in Stratford meet State affordability guidelines, the Town is subject to affordable housing appeals, which allows developers of affordable housing in Stratford to circumvent the town’s zoning regulations. This has caused out-of-scale affordable housing developments being proposed within or near conservation areas of the town, stirring neighborhood resistance concerning affordable housing.
During the Stratford Housing Partnership (SHP) Zoom meeting on July 17th, Attota stated other municipalities have adopted a standard language for their workforce housing plans and affordability plans. Attota said that when a developer has a 8-30g or Workforce Housing Development request, they are given a sample plan, and that she had informally and unofficially prepared one that went before the Zoning Commission last month. She requested the SHP review her sample plan and potentially adopt it. “This would therefore help the Zoning Commission guide developers to use as plans for their affordability projects.”
Of note was a discussion on the Ella Grasso Center, which, since its closing in 2016, has been targeted for senior housing. In the minutes, Mayor Hoydick explained the Town has been working to get this property signed over to Stratford. The state rejected it due to inconsistencies with the survey.
When asked about the delays, Town of Stratford Attorney Bruce Jackson said, “I am working with five different departments in the state. No one is doing anything wrong, they are just slow, and we are not really dealing with ‘inconsistencies’, but questions the departments have. We are just going in circles, every new problem or change to the documents are met with answers, and we have to answer down the line, then back up. Everyone is looking at the maps to determine if the map is correct, and once changes are made to the map everyone has to sign off again.”
Sources: 2021-26 Housing Strategies For Stratford; Minutes from the Stratford Housing Partnership Meeting on July 17th; Town of Stratford Attorney Bruce Jackson
As of July 17, 2025, the Stratford Zoning Commission is actively considering or has recently considered several development proposals, primarily focused on residential and mixed-use projects.
Here are some key developments:
727 Honeyspot Road: A developer is proposing to convert a vacant office building into a 14-unit apartment complex. This project aims to utilize a recently approved zoning regulation allowing multifamily workforce housing in specific areas previously zoned for other uses.
2152 Barnum Avenue: A developer is proposing to construct a mixed-use building with 55 apartment units, 17 of which would be designated as affordable housing, on the site of an existing restaurant. This proposal leverages state statute 8-30g, which can allow developers to bypass certain zoning restrictions for projects including a certain percentage of affordable housing. Previously, a smaller, six-unit apartment project was approved for this location.
Ferry Boulevard (382 Ferry Blvd): A developer is reviving plans to build a 119-unit apartment complex on a vacant lot. This project was previously approved by the Zoning Commission in 2018 and does not require new approval.
Aldi Grocery Store: The Zoning Commission unanimously approved a special permit for the construction of a 20,000 square-foot Aldi grocery store in the Stratford Square shopping plaza on Barnum Avenue Cutoff.
It’s important to note that the approval process for these developments can be lengthy and involve multiple stages and potential revisions based on community input and regulatory requirements. The Town of Stratford provides detailed information regarding land use meetings, including applications, notices, and agendas, on the Town of Stratford website:
https://www.townofstratford.com/page/land-use-meetings-information>>.
Hello, im a 54 year old disabled female in need of housing badly. I would like to submit applications for these places. Is it possible to receive contact information for these new apartments? Your help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Ms. Edwards