Connecticut Senate Bill SB00838

Connecticut 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/23
• Refer: 1/19/23

Caption

An Act Creating A Housing Authority Safety And Security Grant Program.

Impact

The introduction of this bill signifies a proactive approach towards improving tenant safety in public housing. By providing financial resources, the bill encourages housing authorities to implement necessary safety measures which could directly lead to enhanced community well-being. The implications of SB00838 may result in a higher standard of safety across various housing authorities, thereby fostering a more secure living environment for tenants, which can have long-lasting effects on community health and stability.

Summary

SB00838 is proposed legislation aimed at enhancing safety and security within housing authority-managed properties through the establishment of a grant program. This program is set to provide funding to housing authorities to address tenant safety concerns by either hiring security personnel or improving existing security infrastructure. A total appropriation of two million dollars from the General Fund is allocated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, with individual grant amounts ranging from fifty thousand to two hundred thousand dollars per housing authority.

Contention

While the intended outcome of SB00838 is to bolster safety, discussions may arise regarding the allocation of state funds and whether two million dollars suffices to cover the safety needs across numerous housing authorities effectively. Critics could argue that without concrete guidelines on how funds are to be used, the program might not yield uniform safety improvements. Furthermore, the effectiveness of security personnel versus infrastructure improvements may become a talking point among stakeholders as they assess the best paths to enhance tenant security.