Connecticut is one of the wealthiest states in the union. Yet many working families are struggling paycheck to paycheck, and many children are falling into poverty through no fault of their own. Connecticut has the resources and expertise to eradicate child poverty if lawmakers choose to use them. Through the End Child Poverty Now campaign, advocates, philanthropic leaders, and policy partners have united around specific strategies to attain this goal. They are: a permanent refundable Child Tax Credit, universal no-cost healthy school meals, expanded nutrition assistance, and stronger housing policies that keep families stably housed. These are not competing priorities. They are connected strategies that give children the stability they need to learn, grow, and succeed. When our kids thrive, Connecticut thrives. A Child Tax Credit helps families manage rising costs. School meals help children focus and learn. Nutrition assistance protects households when federal rules change. These are smart, practical investments. But none of them will succeed if families cannot keep a stable home. Housing is the foundation for every anti-poverty effort. When housing becomes unstable, children may be forced to change schools, parents may struggle to keep their jobs, and financial stress deepens. A single eviction or forced move can erase years of progress. That is why housing must be central to Connecticut’s strategy to end child poverty. Expanding just-cause eviction protections to include working families and strengthening rental assistance are practical, stabilizing policies. Landlords can still evict tenants who fail to pay rent, violate leases, or pose safety concerns. These policies simply reduce unnecessary displacement and keep temporary setbacks from becoming permanent crises. Strengthening rental assistance is equally essential because most families facing eviction are not permanently unable to pay. They are dealing with short-term disruptions such as reduced work hours, medical bills, or unexpected expenses. A modest amount of assistance at the right moment can prevent eviction, avoid homelessness, and save far greater public costs in the long run. But stability alone is not enough. Connecticut must also confront a harder reality. We are not creating enough housing that meets the needs and incomes of our residents. The Governor has described the state’s new housing bill as a collaborative approach that gives towns tools and incentives to move housing forward. Collaboration matters, and local partnerships should be part of the solution. But the record shows that incentives alone have not produced enough homes. For years, municipalities have had flexibility and encouragement, yet many communities continue to avoid the local decisions needed to expand housing opportunities. The result is rising rents, fewer options for working families, and growing instability that fuels child poverty. At some point, the question shifts from whether towns are willing to whether the state is willing to prioritize this issue and implement guidelines and policies for expected actions. The legislature faces a clear choice this session. It can continue relying on approaches that have not produced the scale of change needed, or it can pass bills that strengthen housing stability, increase spending to expand rental assistance, and, yes, require every community to plan for and allow the housing its residents need. Connecticut does not need another year of conversation about housing. It needs action. Lawmakers must act now because when housing is stable, children have the foundation they need to thrive. Beth Sabilia is director of the Center for Housing Opportunity Eastern Connecticut. Maryam Elahi is president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut.   ...read more read less