Fairfield Approves $1 Land Lease for Affordable Homes

Town Meeting approved a 75-year lease of town-owned land to Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Apartments

Empty cleared residential lot with survey stakes and timber framing outlines under overcast daylight, with mature oak trees at the back edge. — Fairfield's Representative Town Meeting approved a $1, 75-year lease of town-owned Greenfield Street land to Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County for four affordable homes. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your town lease public land to nonprofits for affordable homes?

The Fairfield Representative Town Meeting approved a 75-year lease of town-owned land at 254 Greenfield St. to Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County for $1. Habitat plans to build four housing units on the vacant parcel, which the town cleared after razing a single-family home.

Why it matters

Land acquisition is a major barrier to affordable housing, and land is a substantial driver of housing costs. By removing land costs from the equation through a long-term ground lease, the town aims to make the units affordable as starter homes for local buyers.

The town-approved lease covers 75 years at $1 total for the 254 Greenfield St. parcel, where Habitat plans two duplexes with four units. The lease is not yet final, with signing expected by the end of 2026 and a Plan and Zoning application due in the second half of 2027.

The players

Fairfield Representative Town Meeting

The legislative body of the Town of Fairfield, Connecticut, which holds the authority to approve town property leases and makes decisions on municipal land use.

Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County

The local chapter of the international nonprofit that builds affordable homes with the help of future homeowners, having already completed duplexes on Greenfield Street and under construction on Quincy Street.

The details

The town acquired the Greenfield Street property, demolished the existing structure, and is making the vacant parcel available to Habitat through a long-term ground lease. Habitat for Humanity will identify prospective homebuyers, who must pledge to help in the construction of the homes.

Last month (October 2026): Town Meeting approved the 75-year land lease.
A few years ago: The town acquired Greenfield St. property and signed its first ground lease with Habitat.
End of 2026: The lease is expected to be finalized and signed.
Second half of 2027: A town Plan and Zoning application is to be submitted.
About one week after launch: The Judd Homestead development received over 1,000 preapplications.

Starter Home Strategy

Fairfield's $1 ground lease extends Habitat for Humanity's sweat-equity homeownership model by pairing it with town-owned land instead of purchased parcels. The approach follows the town's earlier Greenfield Street development agreement, which produced duplexes now fully occupied.

Eligible buyers in Fairfield may gain access to starter homes built on land removed from the cost equation, though buyers must pledge to help construct the homes. Prospective homebuyers should watch for Habitat's process for identifying candidates as the lease and development move forward.

The takeaway

Publicly owned land can be a practical tool for lowering the cost of starter homes, since removing land costs from the price directly reduces what buyers must pay. Residents interested in these units should monitor Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County for buyer applications.

What happens next

The lease is expected to be finalized and signed by the end of 2026, and a Plan and Zoning application for the 254 Greenfield St. project is to be submitted in the second half of 2027.