Fair Rent Commissions in Action

Fair Rent Commissions in Action

Join tenants, leaders & advocates for a hands-on intro to Fair Rent Commissions—how they work & how to start one in your town.

By Partnership for Strong Communities

Date and time

Thursday, July 24 · 9am - 12pm EDT

Location

Canal Dock Boathouse, Inc.

475 Long Wharf Drive New Haven, CT 06511

Lineup

Agenda

9:00 AM

Registration and Networking Breakfast

9:30 AM

Opening Remarks: Mayor Justin Elicker

9:40 PM

Panel #1: How to Build a Commission


Beth Sabilia, Center for Housing Opportunity Eastern Connecticut Wildaliz Bermudez, City of New Haven Fair Rent Commission Jean Sirica, Sarah White, Moderator

11:00 AM

Panel #2: Real People, Real Stories from Fair Rent Commissions


Peter Cunningham (Citizen Commissioner, Hamden); John Souza (Landlord-Commissioner, West Hartford); Hope Vaughn (Tenant, New Haven); Alicia Chandler (Tenant-Commissioner, East Lyme) Alysha Gardner mo...

11:40 AM

Closing Remarks and FRC Network Launch


Wildaliz Bermudez, Amy Peltier

About this event

  • Event lasts 3 hours

Connecticut renters face some of the highest housing cost burdens in the nation. As more families struggle to stay housed, Fair Rent Commissions (FRCs) are a powerful but underused tool for promoting stability and resolving disputes.

Join us for a Fair Rent Commissions 101, followed by two panels: one with local leaders who’ve launched FRCs in their towns, and another with a tenant, landlord, and commission member who’ve navigated the process firsthand.

This event will bring together tenants, landlords, municipal officials, and housing advocates to demystify how FRCs work, explore their impact, and share practical insights. Whether you’re looking to launch a commission, understand your rights, or improve local systems, this event offers a space to learn, share, and shape the future of fair housing in Connecticut.



Getting to the Venue
The event will take place at the Boathouse at Canal Dock
📍 475 Long Wharf Drive, New Haven, CT

By Car
Conveniently located just off I-95
Free on-street parking available (note: no dedicated parking lot)
Located across the street from IKEA and Hotel Marcel

By Public Transit
Served by New Haven Transit bus routes 274/241/254
Closest stop: Sargent Drive at Opp Canal Dock Road (just steps from the venue)

By Bike
Accessible via Long Wharf bike lanes
Bike-friendly route to the waterfront


Check back for updates closer to the event.

Organized by

FreeJul 24 · 9:00 AM EDT