Housing Measures Meet Varying Fates

Housing was once again a hot-button issue this legislative session, with a series of bills targeting the lack of workforce housing.

CBIA advocated for HB 5344, which creates a first-time home buyers savings account, designed to incentivize home ownership and address one of the factors driving the state’s worker shortage.

Thirteen other states have created such accounts and seen success in helping first-time home buyers save for buying a home.

The legislation also allowed employers to contribute to an employee’s account and receive tax credits.

HB 5344 drew broad bipartisan support from the Banking Committee and was a priority for the committee co-chair Rep. Jason Doucette (D-Manchester) and ranking member Rep. Tom Delnicki (R-South Windsor).

Unfortunately, the bill died in the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee once the decision was made not to make adjustments to the second-year of the current state budget.

CBIA is committed to working with lawmakers on the bill next year. 

Incentive Approach

The legislature did approve HB 5474, designed to incentivize cities and towns to grow housing inventory and options.

CBIA supported several sections of the bill, specifically incentives around the development of middle housing.

The bill, which drew bipartisan support, allows municipalities to designate middle housing to be built as of right, with localities receiving points towards 8-30g scores for completed units.

“Using 8-30g as an incentive for towns to develop housing is absolutely the correct way to incentivize towns,” said CBIA’s Pete Myers.

“We were pleased to see yes votes from both sides of the aisle in the House and the Senate for this bill.“ 

Work Live Ride

HB 5390, known as the Work Live Ride bill, was not called for a vote in the Senate after winning House approval May 3.

The bill used STEAP grants and Urban Act grants to incentivize towns to develop housing around transit stations.

Municipalities voiced opposition to the bill given that towns that did not opt to adopt transit-based zoning would diminish their chances of obtaining STEAP grants.

CBIA anticipates that housing will be another hot issue next legislative session. 

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For more information, contact CBIA’s Pete Myers (860.244.1921).