Housing

This bill amends a 1995 agreement regarding a 10-acre state-owned parcel in Middletown that was previously sold to the Shiloh Baptist Community Development Corporation. The legislation clarifies that the land must be used for moderate-income housing and public recreational facilities by June 30, 2029, while explicitly prohibiting its use for religious teaching or practice. If the corporation fails to begin construction by the deadline or does not comply with federal nondiscrimination requirements, the property will revert to state ownership. The bill also ensures that any existing mortgage debt remains enforceable even if the land reverts to the state.

SB 123 requires assisted living facilities to hold public informational hearings when increasing resident fees by more than 10% of the previous fee. Facilities must provide at least 30 days' notice before the hearing and allow residents, families, and the public to comment. This applies to all fee increases exceeding 10% (effective October 1, 2026), while exempting adjustments tied to immediate care changes or safety needs. The bill also mandates 60-day advance disclosure of all fee increases and provides residents with three years of fee history upon request. It directly affects assisted living agencies and their residents by adding transparency to significant cost changes.

This bill removes sales tax on clothing under $100, school supplies, and appliances, and eliminates a 1% tax on meals sold by grocery stores. It creates new tax credits for homeowners (increasing the existing credit), caregivers of elderly or disabled family members, and renters earning $75,000 or less for primary residence costs. These changes directly lower tax burdens for Connecticut residents, particularly lower- and middle-income households. The bill modifies sales tax rules and expands income tax credits to improve affordability.

SB 369 requires owners of residential buildings with elevators used by people with disabilities to maintain elevator safety and accessibility. It mandates 24-hour written maintenance notices, adherence to manufacturer standards, installation of approved emergency key safes (Knox boxes), and prompt repairs if elevators are inoperable for more than 48 hours or exceed two outages in 30 days. Owners must post bilingual emergency signage inside/outside elevators and provide annual written tenant notifications about their rights. Violations incur daily fines up to $250, enforced by the Department of Administrative Services, which can order repairs, issue citations, or relocate tenants if safety is compromised. This directly affects residential building owners with qualifying elevators, excluding municipal/state properties and renovation sites.

HB 5288 modifies zoning and utility rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), commonly called "granny flats" or secondary units on the same property as a main home. The bill requires municipalities to allow ADUs on single-family lots "as of right" (without special approval) and prohibits local governments from charging separate utility connection fees for ADUs connected to the main house's existing utilities. It also bans requirements like separate utility billing, extra parking, or restrictions on tenant relationships. This directly affects homeowners seeking to create ADUs and local governments managing zoning and utility regulations.

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 5394 updates Connecticut's relocation assistance rules for people displaced from homes due to government actions like redevelopment or code enforcement. It sets a $4,000 limit for payments to help displaced homeowners cover rent for up to four years or a down payment on a new safe, decent home (with a $2,000 matching requirement for larger down payments). Landlords become financially responsible for relocation costs if tenants are displaced due to local code enforcement, and towns/cities can place liens on landlords' property to recover these payments. This bill directly affects displaced homeowners, tenants, landlords, and municipalities managing relocation programs, replacing outdated provisions with clearer payment standards effective October 2026.