Bill > S967

This bill addresses housing challenges in seasonal communities by introducing several key provisions. It defines "attainable rental housing" as housing for year-round residents in seasonal communities and "qualified developer" as a developer partnering with a school district or municipality to create affordable rental housing for employees. The bill enables municipalities to create a right of first refusal program for properties facing foreclosure, establish a graduated property tax rate based on year-round occupancy, and increase local sales tax on restaurant meals to fund attainable housing. It also requires for-profit developers to allocate a small percentage of units (up to 3) in new large developments for year-round housing or pay a per-unit fee. Additionally, the bill mandates that municipalities adopt zoning ordinances that permit small-scale year-round housing and allow existing structures meeting minimum habitability standards to be used as year-round housing. The legislation provides mechanisms for long-term financing of affordable rental housing, gives seasonal communities the right to acquire properties with tax liens, and includes provisions to support the creation of attainable housing for year-round residents in communities with high property values or seasonal characteristics.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S967