Connecticut lacks sufficient Terminus-Oriented Complexes, according to the newest Regional Plan Association report.
The Regional Plan Association (RPA) has recently released a report titled "Homes on Track: Connecticut, Analysis of Existing Conditions for Transit-Oriented Communities in Connecticut". The report sheds light on the state's housing and transportation landscape, focusing on areas within Connecticut's Transit Zone (CTZ).
According to the report, more than three-quarters of the state's Hispanic and Black populations, as well as over half of the Asian and American Native populations, reside within the CTZ, totalling approximately 817,000 residents. The Lower Connecticut River Valley ranks third with 1,870 stops or 13% of the total.
The report argues for integrating residential, commercial, and recreational spaces around public transportation hubs to create more sustainable and vibrant communities in Connecticut. However, it notes that while almost half of Connecticut's statewide housing stock is located near a transit stop, most of it is not dense enough to support transit service.
Only 317,000 units, representing 22% of the total statewide housing stock, are located in areas with sufficient density to sustain bus service. On the other hand, approximately 291,000 units are situated in areas that lack the density to support bus service, even in areas close to transit.
The Capitol region has the largest share of bus stops in Connecticut, with approximately 4,730 stops, which is nearly a third of the total in the state. South Central Connecticut follows with 3,080 stops, accounting for 21% of the total number of stops.
The cities in Connecticut experiencing the highest increases in bus stop access, and thus potentially significant for the development of transit-oriented communities, are Stamford and Bridgeport. However, the report also notes that many communities in Connecticut still face challenges in providing sufficient housing and coordinating it with public transportation.
The report further highlights that nearly 921,000 units, or 62%, of the total housing stock in Connecticut is located in areas with access to sewer service. Most of the housing stock is not affected by high flood risk areas. Over 660,000 units (45% of Connecticut's housing stock) are located within the CTZ and in low-flood risk areas.
However, the report also mentions that virtually all of the state's households earning less than $50,000 reside within the CTZ, approximately 138,800 households corresponding to 98.8% in the very low income bracket. Approximately 40,000 units (2.6% of the state total) are in a high-flood risk area and within the CTZ.
RPA President and CEO Tom Wright stated that local zoning restrictions and political obstacles have stymied efforts to provide the affordable housing needed in Connecticut. The report suggests that building more housing and generating economic development near transit can create more prosperity, affordability, and diversity in Connecticut.
