Saud Anwar

Housing Committee Passes Bills Promising Significant Protections, Reforms in Housing Policy Statewide

Today, the Housing Committee passed a number of bills providing significant increases in protection for members of the public regarding housing, including expansions of protections for victims of family violence or sexual assault, increased resources to prevent homelessness and providing individuals with the right to counsel in eviction proceedings. State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), Vice Chair of the Housing Committee and a proponent of the bills, lauded their passage today.

“The Housing Committee is committed to protecting members of the public from predatory practices and increasing their opportunities to succeed,” said Sen. Anwar. “Stable housing is key to other stability in one’s life; we owe it to our entire state to protect those in need. I’m encouraged to see many bills pass the committee today, and look forward to fighting to ensure they become law, for the good of our communities.”

Among the bills that were given joint-favorable approval by the Housing Committee today were:

• Senate Bill 48, “An Act Concerning Additional Housing Protections For Victims Of Family Violence Or Sexual Assault,” would allow a person with a valid order of protection to change the locks on their dwelling or to request their landlord change the locks.
• Senate Bill 86, “An Act Establishing The Homelessness Response System To Allocate Resources For The Homeless And To Prevent Homelessness,” would establish the Homelessness Response System to provide increased funding for coordinated access networks and the United Way of Connecticut 211 Infoline program.
• House Bill 6531, “An Act Concerning The Right To Counsel In Eviction Proceedings,” would provide individuals facing eviction with the right to receive legal counseling.

The bills now progress to the Senate and House floors.