To the Editor:

I have lived in Wilton for 42 years. It was my first house. I had two children. I paid my taxes. My children went to public school. And I participated in every town event I could possibly attend. This has been my home.

I’ve always been proud to live here until now. When I read that there are still people in 2024 who oppose affordable housing I am bewildered. It boggles my mind. Has Wilton become such an enclave of the upper class who are terrified of the thought of people moving here who can’t afford $5,000 a month for an apartment? Perhaps their perception of such people is negative and would “ruin the quality of the town.”

I am a senior citizen now and can no longer afford to live in a beautiful home in Wilton as I want. But I love my town and I would like to come back and the only way I can come back is to live in an apartment that has affordable housing. So allowing Kimco to reduce the number of affordable housing apartments to 1% from 10% destroys my chances of ever living in my hometown again. Now my children live here and my grandchildren, but I am no longer good enough for this town.

I urge you to rethink. I urge you to consider the people who want to live here and can’t afford it. Your stereotype of AHR (affordable housing residents) does not fit. Join the 2024 year of tolerance and understanding and acceptance, and do not allow this to pass. Otherwise, former residents like me are being told, “We don’t want you anymore. Thank you for all the money you gave us over the last 40 years, but sorry it’s time for you to go.”

Is that really what you want to say? That I’m too old?

Claire Madden

4 replies on “Letter: 42-Year Resident says Lack of Affordable Housing “Destroys My Chances” of Staying in Wilton”

  1. Well put. Lack of affordable housing locks out not just the young but the old. It’s a stain on Connecticut and Wilton; anyone who stands in the way of affordable housing is ignorant to the biggest economic crises in America and what is strangling the middle class. And it if I hear “traffic” again as a legitimate reason ill lose my mind.

  2. The lack of actually affordable housing limits both the cohesiveness and the vibrant diversity that this town needs. That and high property taxes on elderly homeowners drive out longtime residents who represent our community memories and our roots.
    The unaffordability of houses and rentals here keeps younger people and families out. How can not only the elderly, but anybody who serves our community, from teachers, librarians, new public safety personnel, nurses, retail employees afford to live here where they work?
    I am 77 and have lived here for 40 years. I am extremely fortunate to live in the little old house that my late husband and I were able to buy at a more than reasonable price in 1984, part of an old farm. Nick and I, two librarians at local universities, were both well employed and able to make repairs and modifications to this bare-bones farmhouse and make it a lovely home for ourselves and our two school age children.
    But as the woods around us were razed and large houses built around us, property taxes have multiplied, and I now live on pension funds and Social Security, and affording to stay in the home that we worked on and loved together has become quite difficult. And yet I cannot see how I could afford to rent or buy any of the residential options that are available in town given my reduced income.
    I am afraid that Wilton is zoning and pricing itself out of the chance of being a diverse and dynamic social community that embraces the elderly, the young, and working folks of any age.

  4. Apply to New Canaan Housing Authority and keep read NewCanaanite.com, the local paper, always with Affordable Housing info. The Avalon (New Canaan) building across from the cemetery is being converted to some affordable housing units, my daughter and I live in Millport Apt. – 2 years now after 19 years renting in Wilton (my daughter and I still do everything in Wilton, so closeby) and we are in senior section here. Get on the waiting list asap – there is also a brand new building with terraces that went up but that has a playground – and I see senior housing in the link. Here is the link – Amy Rodrigues in the contact for Millport – her email is listed – she knows the whole system and Amy is the most helpful person. Also Bethel Housing Authority had an apartment after we got this one – but these apartments are on the border of Wilton. Good luck.

    https://www.newcanaan.info/government/commissions/housing_authority.php

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