Rep. France Pushing Affordable Housing Changes

HARTFORD – State Rep. Mike France is working hard to change the way Connecticut government approaches affordable housing.

Lawmakers are examining three different bills introduced by France (R-42), a freshman legislator determined to improve state regulations to benefit low-income and senior residents. In recent days, France provided testimony to the Housing Committee on his proposals – H.B. 5055, H.B. 5056 and H.B. 5254 – that are gaining traction at the Capitol.

One measure, H.B. 5055, would allow municipalities to consider low-cost housing units that meet the statutory definition of “affordable housing” be included in the inventory even though they are not “deed restricted” but at the higher rate of 15%.

“This bill does not prevent deed-restricted affordable housing from being developed, but rather it would allow municipalities to demonstrate that they have even more housing that is affordable than currently required by statute. Municipalities could then meet the required percentage of affordable units in their area, while maintaining the sense of community that has been established through the Plan of Conservation and Development and Zoning Regulations. Overall, it would support smart housing growth plans that meet the needs of the municipality,” Rep. France said.

Seniors would benefit from another France proposal, H.B. 5056, which proposes to prohibit age-restricted housing from being converted to affordable housing after development has begun.

“Our seniors should be protected from arbitrary changes to their living conditions, such as converting an age-restricted housing development to a deed-restricted affordable housing development. The use of the 8-30g statute by a developer to change the contractual arrangement years after the purchase of their retirement home is something our seniors should not have to deal with,” Rep. France said. “These seniors are generally the least able to afford the cost of a legal battle required to defend their contractual rights and need the support of statute to help them maintain the substantial investment they have made in their retirement residence.”

Additionally, H.B. 5254, France’s bill that would encourage supportive housing and economic development, was well received.

Rep. France said: “The needs of our low- and moderate-income residents go beyond simply housing that is affordable. These needs include access to transportation, close proximity to shopping, and other necessities. Providing these needs becomes more challenging when individual units are broadly dispersed. Requiring a minimum threshold of ten (10) units of affordable housing in a development, for example, would provide a community of residents with common needs that can be served better.”