Housing

HB 5362 revises Connecticut's affordable housing laws to implement recommendations from the Majority Leader's Roundtable. It defines key terms like "affordable housing development" (including "set-aside developments" requiring 30% of units to be priced at ≤30% of income for 40 years, with 15% reserved for lower-income households) and clarifies the role of housing commissions. The bill creates a streamlined appeal process for developers whose affordable housing applications are denied or restricted, directing such cases to specialized judges in the relevant judicial district for expedited review. This law directly affects housing developers, municipalities, and housing commissions by setting new affordability standards and changing how disputes over housing applications are resolved.

HB 5226 requires Connecticut municipalities with populations over 15,000 to establish fair rent commissions by January 1, 2028, and all municipalities containing mobile manufactured home parks must join a regional fair rent commission. These commissions will handle rent complaints for non-seasonal mobile home spaces, investigate excessive charges, and hold public hearings to address issues affecting mobile home residents and park owners. The bill creates a framework for regional commissions (managed through regional councils) and mandates specific member requirements, including resident representation. It directly affects mobile home park residents, landlords, and local governments responsible for implementing the new commission structure. The changes take effect October 1, 2026.