The Affordable Housing Fight That’s Turning Heads Across Connecticut

When journalist Dan Haar sat down with developer Arnold Karp to discuss affordable housing in New Canaan, the conversation went beyond bricks and zoning codes. It offered a glimpse into one of the most polarizing and persistent debates in Connecticut: who gets to live where, and who decides?

As covered in Haar's recent CT Insider article, Karp is at the center of a storm in New Canaan, a wealthy town with a long-standing reputation for exclusivity. His proposal to build apartment complexes that include 30% affordable units under the state's 8-30g statute has met fierce opposition from residents and town officials alike. The fight has made Karp, in Haar's words, perhaps "Connecticut's most controversial developer."

We're not developers ourselves, but we work with a broad network of them—people who are navigating the economic, social, and legal labyrinth of building homes in communities that often don’t welcome change. And while every developer has a different playbook, there’s a shared understanding: building mixed-income housing in affluent areas is not for the faint of heart.

What Is 8-30g, and Why Does It Matter?

To understand what’s happening in New Canaan, you need to understand 8-30g—a Connecticut statute passed in 1989 designed to address the lack of affordable housing in the state. It allows developers to bypass local zoning rules if a town has less than 10% of its housing stock deemed affordable (by state-defined metrics), provided their proposal includes a sufficient percentage of affordable units.

The law is controversial. Supporters say it’s a necessary lever to create inclusive communities, especially when towns use zoning to block development. Critics argue it undercuts local control and burdens towns with infrastructure and service demands.

New Canaan is well below the 10% threshold. That gives developers like Karp a legal foothold. But legality doesn't always translate to social or political acceptance—and that’s where the rubber meets the road.

How Developers Think (And Why You Should Care)

While we're not in the business of building, we collaborate with developers who are. And in our network, there's a recurring sentiment: building in resistant towns is as much about endurance as economics.

First, the numbers have to work. Affordable units typically rent for significantly less than market rate, which means developers must find creative financing—often layering state and federal tax credits, private investment, and subsidies to make the math pencil out.

Then there’s the community. Opposition can take many forms: legal challenges, procedural delays, appeals to fire codes or traffic studies. Some developers we know have waited years before breaking ground, simply due to prolonged pushback. The social toll can be just as real—ostracization, smear campaigns, and even threats.

Why go through it? For some, it's mission-driven. For others, it's a calculated risk with long-term payoff. Either way, they’re playing a game where the rules are constantly shifting and the referees may be hostile.

Karp’s battle highlights the dichotomy: the law is on his side, but the court of public opinion is not. And in many towns, that court holds more sway than people realize.

How You Can Engage—Productively

Housing debates can feel overwhelming, especially when they get bogged down in legal jargon or devolve into partisan bickering. But there are ways to stay informed and get involved:

• Educate yourself on local zoning laws. They affect everything from housing affordability to school funding to environmental impact.

• Attend public meetings. Planning and Zoning Commission meetings are where real decisions are made. Your voice matters.

• Support inclusive housing initiatives. This could mean advocating for ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units), backing 8-30g developments, or simply talking to neighbors about the benefits of mixed-income communities.

• Talk to your representatives. Let them know that affordable housing is a priority—and that you're paying attention.

Final Thoughts

What’s happening in New Canaan isn’t just a local drama—it’s a case study in how we define community. Karp’s story, as told through Dan Haar’s reporting, is one of determination against institutional inertia. Whether you see him as a hero or a provocateur, his actions force a larger conversation.

Affordable housing doesn’t just happen. It’s built—through policy, persistence, and people willing to push past resistance. We’ll be watching this one closely, and we encourage you to do the same.