Report: It costs a lot to live here

It's no secret that many people who work in Fairfield County can't afford to buy a home here, but a study out Monday suggests many of those workers can't afford to rent, either.

[ymz]

"The state has efforts in place....." "Connecticut put $110 million into the newly created Housing Trust Fund in 2005"... Well, it's 2008 now - so where's the relief?$110 million
worth of ineffective. "The impact of this program will probably take a few years to be felt in the communities" Right. Let's see 2005-2008, so where's the money right now?
This is why recent grads and other young people move on. Many must share housing (or live with parents) and maintain cars for transportation, and those who are hourly often don't have health insurance at all. The opportunities and pay are greater in the NY/Boston areas, they have to share housing anyway and can eliminate the expense of a car. So why stay here?

[pwilson]

Dodds office did not return a phone call Monday for comment.

Your Democratic Senator at work.

[pwilson]

And, a big reason rents are so high is because TAXES ARE SO HIGH.

DEMOCRATS MUST GO!

[local]

ymz, most grads end up with entry level jobs or in alot of cases no jobs at all, they could afford a cup of coffee let alone a place to live. The article is directed a working people with a family

ymz wrote:

"The state has efforts in place....." "Connecticut put $110 million into the newly created Housing Trust Fund in 2005"... Well, it's 2008 now - so where's the relief?$110 million
worth of ineffective. "The impact of this program will probably take a few years to be felt in the communities" Right. Let's see 2005-2008, so where's the money right now?
This is why recent grads and other young people move on. Many must share housing (or live with parents) and maintain cars for transportation, and those who are hourly often don't have health insurance at all. The opportunities and pay are greater in the NY/Boston areas, they have to share housing anyway and can eliminate the expense of a car. So why stay here?

[local]

How long did it take you to make that correlation? Hopefully not long...

pwilson wrote:

And, a big reason rents are so high is because TAXES ARE SO HIGH.
DEMOCRATS MUST GO!

[for the people]

People control their own destiny and not politicians. The time is now to stop the insanity especially for our future generations. Speak up and be heard. Dodd only cares about his next drink and how many kids an old fart can have.

[mcq]

I've been thinking about leaving this area, and might have to do that. I've been working since I left college 11 years ago and I still can't afford to by a house in this state. Property taxes are outrageous.

[Tired of BS]

Instead of developing more programs we have to pay for, why doesn't the state put a fair housing and regulation bill on the greedy landlords who raise your rent evey chance they get.

[Mark]

Wow what a statement! Duh, now you find out this is one of the most expensive cities in the state to live in! Boy you must have a college degree! Now try and find out why Mayor Finch is raising our stinking taxes and getting rid of nurses and teachers in our school system! Oh and lets not forget he also took away some vacation time from some of the people in certain positions in the city! Now how does he intend on keeping up moral in these offices and in the city? He was supposed to protect the citizens and their children now we are all going to the poor house. Maybe he is getting this city ready for republicans to move in here cheap. Thank you very much Mayor Finch!

[too many people]

if people would stop multiplying, they might be able to gain a foothold. i find it difficult to sympathize with low income families that pump out kiddies year after year. China has the right idea about 1 thing-limit the population. although it is difficult on 1 income, i live alone, and have only myself to support.

[local]

You are aware that China is a communist country right?

I hear some country still have food lines and rashin supplys, maybe we should look into that too?

too many people wrote:

if people would stop multiplying, they might be able to gain a foothold. i find it difficult to sympathize with low income families that pump out kiddies year after year. China has the right idea about 1 thing-limit the population. although it is difficult on 1 income, i live alone, and have only myself to support.

[local]

for the people, i agree with your stand. As a whole people would rather complain about their situation than do ANYTHING to change it.

If you feel its to expensive to live here then move, if you don't like those in office become a canidate, if you don't like the schools, home school your kids, if you think the price of gas is to high then ride a bike.

All i here is a ton of complaining but nobody actually doing anything about it.

for the people wrote:

People control their own destiny and not politicians. The time is now to stop the insanity especially for our future generations. Speak up and be heard. Dodd only cares about his next drink and how many kids an old fart can have.

[Worker]

Too many people have their hand extended and empty, waiting for a handout. Its time you put something in your hand, a shovel, hammer, broom, pencil or pen, and do something for yourself.

The whole housing subsidy program is busted. The government keeps paying peoples rent so long as they keep making nothing. Where is the incentive for them to get up off their butts? Being selected for housing assistance is like winning the lottery. They you can have kids and increase the support you receive from the state because you aren't legally married, and didn't document who the real father is, even though he lives with you and pays no rent so he can buy a nice car with rims and a big tv. Gotta love America. State Assistance should be temporary. Unemployment compensation should be enough. If you can't find a job in 6 months, you're no go to us, leave CT.

[Trumbull]

WE ARE IN A RECESSION, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO SAVE MONEY?

[LynneB]

The problem with any kind of state assistance is that it perpetuates the over-inflated sense of entitlement these people have. Liberalism is nothing more than the allowance of the abdication of personal responsibility - you keep giving people money, and of course they're not going to work for it!

[AVA]

local wrote:

for the people, i agree with your stand. As a whole people would rather complain about their situation than do ANYTHING to change it.
If you feel its to expensive to live here then move, if you don't like those in office become a canidate, if you don't like the schools, home school your kids, if you think the price of gas is to high then ride a bike.
All i here is a ton of complaining but nobody actually doing anything about it.
<quoted text>

I took matters intot my own hands..I love Ct but it was getting so taxed and so expensive to live there I moved.

[Jesse James Sixx]

It's a damn shame when you can't afford to live in poverty stricken Bridgeport. I couldn't walk down the street without playing hopscotch with all the damn crack viles used condoms and broken syringes, not to mention the number of times I had to DEFEND myself against gun wielding thugs! They never got my money. No, I think i'll keep kickin' back down south, less confrontation. I do miss home though.

[ymz]

Local, The way I read it, the article is directed at all of us. Today Citibank is the second bank to announce branch closings. Peoples was the first. As an indicator it doesn't bode well.

The fact is that in 2005 CT put $110 million into a housing trust fund, here we are in 2008 - so, 3 years later, where is the money? Perhaps instead of just printing quotes and statements the POST reporters could ASK:

How much of the $110 million has been spent?
How and where was it spent?
How much is left in the fund?
How has the state measured the effectiveness of the program?

[local]

I agree it does impact all of us. The actions of both Peoples and Citibank are reactionary to yes a slowing economy but branches that more than likely were not profitably to begin with. In the case of Citibank they are not closing one branch in Fairfield County, i'm not sure about Peoples.

I completly agree that the cost of living in CT is high, but it has always been this way.

Also I've asked the CT post very similar questions with no real response

ymz wrote:

Local, The way I read it, the article is directed at all of us. Today Citibank is the second bank to announce branch closings. Peoples was the first. As an indicator it doesn't bode well.
The fact is that in 2005 CT put $110 million into a housing trust fund, here we are in 2008 - so, 3 years later, where is the money? Perhaps instead of just printing quotes and statements the POST reporters could ASK:
How much of the $110 million has been spent?
How and where was it spent?
How much is left in the fund?
How has the state measured the effectiveness of the program?

[local]

Fair enough, its unfortunate if you really did want to stay you were unable to but I commend you for taking the necessary actions that were best for you

AVA wrote:

<quoted text>I took matters intot my own hands..I love Ct but it was getting so taxed and so expensive to live there I moved.