The city of New Haven has a new mayor. Justin Elicker was sworn in Wednesday, Jan 1.
In his inaugural address, Elicker said the city is growing at a rate not seen since the 1920s.
“The city’s most recent estimates are that the population has grown from about 130,000 residents just a few years ago to 133,000 today,” he told his supporters and staff during the ceremony at Hillhouse High School.
Elicker said that he wants to ensure the growth benefits everyone in the community -- and that his administration would begin with a focus on housing.
“Nearly one-third of New Haven residents spend over 50% of their income on housing,” he said. “Now is the time to prioritize the creation of affordable housing. And as so many of you know, what we often call affordable isn’t affordable to everyone.”
Access to jobs will be another priority, especially in the growing areas of bioscience, advanced manufacturing and construction.
He also said he’d work to ensure New Haven’s educational system better serves the needs of every child, and he asked parents to opt in to the city’s public schools.
“Most residents in New Haven don’t have a choice between public and private,” Elicker said. “Every parent wants the best for their child. Together we can make our public schools the best for every child.”
Elicker defeated three-term incumbent mayor Toni Harp in the Democratic primary in September 2019 and went on to win the November general election.
