The Norwalk Fair Housing Commission voted to approve the municipality’s 2026–2027 grant application on a voice vote after a presentation from Sabrina, the city’s Fair Housing officer.

Sabrina told commissioners the application documents the office’s status under a federal consent decree and explains how the office will meet rising demand for services. Citing a National Fair Housing Alliance report, she said “more than 32,000 complaints were filed in 2024 nationwide,” and added that from April through October 2025 “we engage with more than 1,200 residents, landlords, and partners” through training and community events.

The application is organized around three priorities: education and outreach, updated materials and monitoring/investigations. Sabrina proposed increasing city-run community events from one to three annually and modernizing printed materials with translations in French, Creole, Spanish and Portuguese. She estimated printing costs at roughly $500 per event and translation at $150–$250 per pamphlet depending on language and vendor workload.

Commissioners questioned whether the budget requests a new staff position. Sabrina said the operating budget does not ask for an additional staff member this year; instead the application includes options for internships and modest funding for conference attendance to expand staff capacity without adding headcount. Commissioners said they preferred demonstrating program growth this year and then seeking additional personnel in a future budget cycle.

Sabrina warned that nationally reduced federal funding for fair-housing organizations could shift more casework to local offices. She said that scenario, combined with increased awareness of residents’ rights, could “double” the office’s intake next year—an expectation the application and personnel-line adjustments aim to address.

On the budget, Sabrina said the operating budget as submitted shows an overall 14% decrease compared with the prior submission but reallocates savings to triple outreach events and update equipment and handouts. She said next steps include a planned meeting with the city chief financial officer in December and a subsequent presentation to the Board of Estimate and Taxation, which typically meets in March.

The motion to approve the grant application was made and seconded by commissioners and adopted by voice vote. The commission also voted to keep its regular meeting schedule on the third Monday at 3 p.m. and discussed cancelling the formal December meeting in favor of an informal gathering.

The commission announced a separate virtual conversation on the housing crisis, presented by the Family and Children’s Agency, with Sabrina and other housing-sector leaders participating. The meeting adjourned with seasonal greetings.