Everyone talks about affordable housing. It’s a national crisis — and a local issue.
But — like the famous elephant, and the blind men who try to describe it — everyone has a different idea what it means.
There are, however, some very clear definitions of the term. They’re used by federal, state and local governments to plan and build affordable housing.
Westport’s Affordable Housing Committee recently launched an “Information Hub” web page. It includes Frequently Asked Questions — with clear, comprehensive answers.
Here’s what they say.
What is affordable housing?
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development defines Affordable Housing as housing where the occupant pays no more than 30% of gross income on housing, including utilities. Households paying more than 30% of gross income on housing are considered “cost burdened.”
Generally, the state of Connecticut considers housing to be affordable if total housing costs do not exceed 30% of household income for persons or families whose annual income does not exceed 80% of the lesser of the state or area median income.
For more information click here
How much can a Westport household spend on housing costs, and not be considered “cost burdened”?
A family of 4 making less than $99,680 per year can spend $29,904 annually ($2,492 a month) on housing costs, including utilities.
The median cost of rent (condo/apartment) in Westport is $4,300 a month, including utilities. (November 2025 MLS)
It is important to note that the typical person who qualifies for affordable housing is employed.
Residents of the 19-unit 122 Wilton Road apartments include people who work in local supermarkets and other businesses.
- To maintain a diversity of residents of all income levels.
- To address the increase in housing costs and affordability.
- The housing market is inaccessible to those whose only income is from Social Security or a minimum wage job.
- For more information, please visit the Social Security Administration and CT Department of Labor.
- Seniors struggle to find affordable housing when downsizing.
- Many people who work in Westport and who support the community cannot afford to live here.
- Many children who grew up in Westport cannot afford to return.
- Nearly a third (29.2%) of homeowners and over a third (36.8%) of renters in Westport spend more than thirty percent (30%) of their income on housing. Town of Westport Affordable Housing Plan, 2022-2027.
- According to the Center for Housing Opportunity, 21% of working families in Westport struggle to afford the basic cost of living.
- For more information, please visit the The Housing Collective.
- To comply with the law.
- For more information, see the 2025 State of ALICE Connecticut report
- Seniors living on fixed income.
- Families with low to moderate income.
- Persons with disabilities.
- Individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Essential workers, for example, teachers, healthcare providers, service workers and first responders who support the Westport community and who cannot afford the market rate housing.
- Local businesses in need of a more stable workforce.
How has Westport addressed affordable housing?
- Adopted the Town of Westport Affordable Housing Plan, 2022-2027 to assist the town in becoming more accessible to all demographic cohorts.
- Adopted zoning regulations to promote the creation of a variety of housing choices.
- Created by ordinance, an Affordable Housing Trust Fund “to be used for the preservation of existing and the creation of new affordable rental and home ownership in the Town.” See Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2, Article VI
Westport currently has 420 units of affordable housing.
General Statute 8-30g was enacted in 1989 as a way to facilitate the construction of affordable housing. It provides a special appeals process to a developer in the event a housing development containing a specified minimum amount of affordable housing is denied by a local land use board. This appeals process is only applicable to communities that do not meet the state’s affordable housing goal.
- “Assisted Housing”: housing development that receives financial assistance under any government program
- “Set-aside development”: development where not less than 30% of the units are conveyed by deed containing covenants or restrictions which require that, for at least 40 years after the initial occupation of the development, such units will be sold or rented at, or below, prices which are 30% or less of a person’s or family’s annual income, where such income is less than or equal to 80% of the state median income or area median income, whichever is less.
Among Westport’s affordable housing options: Sasco Creek Village.
- §8-30g allows a developer to override local zoning regulations (for example, with respect to building size, setback and other zoning rules), and build housing, as long as the developer “sets aside” 30% of the dwelling units as affordable for a period of not less than 40 years.
- 15% of the “set aside” units must be available to people or households with incomes at or below 80% of the lesser of state or area median income.
- 15% of the “set aside” units must be available to people or households with incomes at or below 60% of the lesser of state or median income.
- Rent can be no more than 30% of income thresholds.
- Units must be on site.
- In traditional land use appeals, the developer must convince the court that the municipality acted illegally, arbitrarily, or abused its discretion. 8-30g shifts the burden of proof from the applicant to the municipality.
- In order to reject an 8-30g application, the municipality must prove, based upon the evidence presented, that: (a) the denial was necessary to protect substantial public interests in health, safety, or other matters that the municipality may legally consider; (b) these public interests clearly outweigh the need for affordable housing; and (c) the public interests cannot be protected by reasonable changes to the proposed affordable housing development.
Artists’ rendering of apartments being constructed now on Hiawatha Lane Extension. They’ll contain 8-30g units.
A municipality is eligible to apply for a moratorium if it can show that it has added affordable housing units, measured in Housing Unit Equivalent points, equal to the greater of 2% of the total number of housing units as of the last census or 75 HUE points. A formula assigns points depending upon the type of unit developed and the maximum qualifying income. The highest points (2.5) are reserved for rental units that are restricted for those earning not more than 40% of the area median income. Only units that have been newly constructed or deed restricted after July 1, 1990 (the date 8-30g took effect) are eligible for HUE points.
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