Bill > H1395

This bill allows municipal housing agencies to enter into enforceable deed restriction agreements with small property owners in good standing as part of zoning variance approval. The key provisions are: 1) The bill defines "affordable housing" as deed-restricted units affordable to and occupied by individuals and families whose annual income is less than 50% of the area's median income, with rent/mortgage not exceeding 35% of household income. 2) It allows cities and towns to provide, through bylaw, ordinance, or zoning variance, for the addition of newly renovated dwelling units (less than 10 units) in existing buildings, subject to an affordable housing agreement between the municipality and the property owner. 3) The affordable housing agreement can require either a payment into the municipality's affordable housing trust fund, the creation of additional deed-restricted affordable units, or both. 4) The municipality is responsible for holding, monitoring, and enforcing the affordable housing restrictions, or can designate a nonprofit organization to do so. 5) The municipality must establish rules and guidelines for granting the zoning variance and the affordable housing agreement must include penalties for non-compliance.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1395