This week in New Haven County
Week of October 12, 2026. Housing policy, a busier fall market, and downtown New Haven projects worth watching.
Governor highlights the state housing law at a conference in New Haven
At Connecticut’s annual housing conference, Gov. Ned Lamont credited the 2025 housing law, which asks towns to plan for housing growth and loosens parking requirements for small developments. His Republican challenger has called for major changes, so the rules could shift after the November election. The Time to Own down payment program for first-time buyers also came up.
CT Mirror, Oct. 15, 2026
More listings statewide, but mortgage rates near 7.3% are squeezing first-time buyers
September brought slightly more new listings than a year earlier, while sales are down for the year. In New Haven County, the median price is up about 5.5% to roughly $401,000 through the first nine months of 2026.
CT Insider, Oct. 6, 2026
September by the numbers: Connecticut single-family median hits $490,000
SmartMLS reports a statewide single-family median of $490,000 in September, up 5.4% from a year ago, with inventory up 3.7% and homes taking about 30 days to sell. Condo prices dipped slightly while condo inventory rose about 20%, which gives condo buyers more choice this fall.
SmartMLS, September 2026 report
Downtown New Haven: federal reconnection funding, a hotel idea for the Coliseum site, and a new East Rock brewery
The New Haven Independent reports about $20 million in federal funding toward reconnecting the city center, a hotel brand eyeing the long-vacant Coliseum site, and a brewery opening in East Rock.
New Haven Independent, Mid-October 2026 · Related: Downtown & Ninth Square, East Rock