Housing is what “they” call it from 30,000 feet when officials at all levels can go home for a meal with family and friends, perhaps watch some TV, and get a night of rest in their bedroom.
For those who are not part of “officialdom” in Bridgeport, we seem to be cut off from sitting at the table to register a question, or comment, or opinion about ‘affordable housing’, workforce housing, rentals, and Section 8 HUD subsidy. Why is that?
The City Council approved ordinances for the Fair Rent Commission and Fair Housing Commissions two years ago after Mayor(s) Fabrizi, Finch and Ganim(2) allowed their own failure to appoint enough citizens to these boards to maintain quorums and they died in plain sight. A new Fair Rent Commission was appointed and a staff member was authorized for budget process, but has become empty and is covered by a supervisor at this time. Communication with the FRC is insufficient to hold meetings or to indicate a City need and members go without meetings, agendas, minutes, or discussion about the range of renter needs, other than ‘fair rents’, which should include quality of life. Does anyone have a handle on the number of rental units in the City? Does the Housing Authority of the City handle all questions and complaints about City housing needs and questions? Or just the so called ‘projects’ where more than a few of the absentee ballot corruption cases seem to have originated?
Where are the bottom-up listening and learning sessions held by City Council, Boards or Commissions, Authorities, or Department of Economic Development? Do we need ‘telling’ sessions or ‘asking’ sessions where listening, hearing, and recording of ‘unfinished business’ is the order of the day? The October Casual Civics Conversation welcomed the Greater Bridgeport NAACP Housing Committee chair to a Saturday 9 AM meeting at Fruta Cafe, 1000 Lafayette. November 29, 2025 will be the next session at that location. Time will tell.
However, don’t everyone have a seat at the table, and part of that officialdom me either vote to elect our officials as our representative? If there’s a failure perhaps it’s not from the bottom-up listening sessions but the top-down who are seated at the table.
Housing is what “they” call it from 30,000 feet when officials at all levels can go home for a meal with family and friends, perhaps watch some TV, and get a night of rest in their bedroom.
For those who are not part of “officialdom” in Bridgeport, we seem to be cut off from sitting at the table to register a question, or comment, or opinion about ‘affordable housing’, workforce housing, rentals, and Section 8 HUD subsidy. Why is that?
The City Council approved ordinances for the Fair Rent Commission and Fair Housing Commissions two years ago after Mayor(s) Fabrizi, Finch and Ganim(2) allowed their own failure to appoint enough citizens to these boards to maintain quorums and they died in plain sight. A new Fair Rent Commission was appointed and a staff member was authorized for budget process, but has become empty and is covered by a supervisor at this time. Communication with the FRC is insufficient to hold meetings or to indicate a City need and members go without meetings, agendas, minutes, or discussion about the range of renter needs, other than ‘fair rents’, which should include quality of life. Does anyone have a handle on the number of rental units in the City? Does the Housing Authority of the City handle all questions and complaints about City housing needs and questions? Or just the so called ‘projects’ where more than a few of the absentee ballot corruption cases seem to have originated?
Where are the bottom-up listening and learning sessions held by City Council, Boards or Commissions, Authorities, or Department of Economic Development? Do we need ‘telling’ sessions or ‘asking’ sessions where listening, hearing, and recording of ‘unfinished business’ is the order of the day? The October Casual Civics Conversation welcomed the Greater Bridgeport NAACP Housing Committee chair to a Saturday 9 AM meeting at Fruta Cafe, 1000 Lafayette. November 29, 2025 will be the next session at that location. Time will tell.
John, my best guess is a telling session is in order since you been asking for quite some time 🤣
Thought perhaps an army is needed when action is required. People at the table tend to hold their own “perspective ” on what action.
https://youtu.be/vWBB7WtuFyM?si=-HMm8c7W1jzYRfk6
However, don’t everyone have a seat at the table, and part of that officialdom me either vote to elect our officials as our representative? If there’s a failure perhaps it’s not from the bottom-up listening sessions but the top-down who are seated at the table.
How every table listening sessions end, 🤣
https://youtu.be/8QxIIz1yEsA?si=d9TjpE_jxzraz8UX
i.e the vote to elect
The prophet
https://youtu.be/YWt4wmZ_EMI?si=SpjHciZbSO7xihdw