Episode 3: The State Response to the Housing Crisis with Seila Mosquera-Bruno

YIMBY Nation (Yes, In My Back Yard)

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Today’s guest on YIMBY Nation is Seila Mosquera-Bruno, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Housing (CDOH) and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA). Appointed by Governor Ned Lamont, Seila brings a wealth of knowledge to the Department of Housing. Prior to her appointment, she was the President and Chief Executive Officer of NeighborWorks New Horizons (NWNH), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing affordable housing opportunities to help build strong communities and revitalize neighborhoods, which expanded its operations beyond New Haven County to New London and Fairfield counties under her leadership. Seila holds a Master’s degree in Urban Studies from Southern Connecticut State University, a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Charter Oak College, and she completed the Community Development fellowship program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. She has also served on the National NeighborWorks Association board and is co-chair of their National Real Estate Development Advisory Council. In this episode, Seila shares her mission to increase access to quality housing opportunities in the State of Connecticut, the important role that education plays, and how individual communities can address housing inequalities by being proactive. We also touch on Seila’s advice for creating more diverse and equitable communities and the value of collaborative efforts between the state, organizations, and individual communities using the resources available. Tune in today to learn more!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Seila introduces herself and her mission to increase access to quality housing opportunities.
• The historic and current systemic issues behind the lack of affordable housing in CT and what Seila’s department is doing to remedy them.
• She highlights the holistic approach required to address housing supply and demand issues.
• The importance of educating the state and communities about affordable housing.
• Learn more about the CDOH Affordable Housing Plan and Process Guidebook.
• How the CDOH is supporting Black and Latinx households facing eviction in CT with legal aid.
• How households in need can access the UniteCT emergency rental assistance program.
• Why Seila views House Bill 6430 as a means to increase production of affordable housing.
• What individual communities can do to address CT housing inequalities; be proactive.
• Tips to create more diverse and equitable communities: embrace change, be more tolerant, and be willing to learn from one another.
• The power of working together with the resources available to accomplish shared goals.
• The critical interplay between education systems, communities, homes, and the state.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Seila Mosquera-Bruno on LinkedIn

Connecticut State Department of Housing

Connecticut Housing Finance Authority

Affordable Housing Plan and Process Guidebook

UniteCT

Vincencia Adusei on LinkedIn

Vincencia Adusei on Twitter

Jimmy Miller on LinkedIn

Censere Consulting

Peter Wood on LinkedIn