The forum will take place at the Salisbury School on Friday, September 22, in the Seifert Theater. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is requested and will open in early September.
Reception from 5 to 6 p.m. in Centennial Hall
Program runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. (Seifert Theater doors open at 6 p.m.)
Housing affordability in the Northwest Corner of Connecticut and the surrounding region will take center stage at the upcoming forum titled "Housing + Jobs + Conservation: A Roadmap for Action." Presented by the Salisbury Forum and Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and hosted at the Salisbury School, this community event will address the challenges posed by the rapidly decreasing affordability of housing for residents and how the issue intersects with economic and conservation imperatives. The event will be held on Friday, September 22, 2023.
The forum will lay the groundwork for a collaborative process that merges the need for housing solutions and economic growth with long-term commitments to conservation of the region's natural beauty.
“We recognize that our region has been grappling with the increasing difficulty community members face in finding housing, especially for those who work in local businesses, schools, and nonprofits. It is becoming more crucial than ever to support sustainable housing solutions that engage the diverse interests in our communities,” said Peter Taylor, President of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
Steve Rosenberg, co-convener of the Hudson Valley Affordable Housing & Conservation Strategy and formerly associated with Scenic Hudson, will facilitate a discussion with three panelists who represent the multisector approach the forum seeks to highlight: Jocelyn Ayer, Director of the Litchfield County Center for Housing Opportunity; Michael Polemis, Chair of the Land Trust Alliance; and Gordon Ridgway, First Selectman of Cornwall, CT. The panelists will share their perspectives and experiences addressing housing affordability and conservation challenges and offer valuable insights to further community action.
Grant Announcement
As part of the event, a new grants program will be announced for organizations in the Northwest Corner of Connecticut aimed at fostering multisector collaborations focused on housing. Broadly, this grant program aims to mobilize public support for new housing initiatives and move innovative projects from concept to reality.
About Salisbury Forum
The Salisbury Forum is a nonprofit organization in the Northwest Corner of Connecticut founded in 2005 whose vision is a world where knowledge and information can bring about positive change. Their mission is to foster deeper conversations and wider understanding on issues that affect our lives globally and locally by hosting speaker forums.
