Bill > H1485

This bill aims to promote affordable housing by requiring municipalities to develop comprehensive Housing Production Plans (HPPs) that strategically address housing needs. The bill mandates that HPPs must include three key elements: a comprehensive housing needs assessment examining current demographics, population projections, development constraints, and infrastructure capacity; affordable housing goals that specify a mix of housing types and a numerical goal of increasing Subsidized Housing Inventory Eligible Housing units by at least 0.50% annually; and implementation strategies detailing how the municipality will achieve its housing production goals. The plans must be adopted by local planning boards and select boards or city councils, then submitted to the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for review and approval. The DHCD will have 90 days to review the plans and can approve or disapprove them, with municipalities able to submit revised plans if initially rejected. Additionally, municipalities can request certification of their compliance with the HPP if they meet their housing unit production goals, and such certification would be valid for two to three years depending on the percentage of housing units added. The bill is designed to encourage systematic, proactive approaches to addressing local housing needs and expanding affordable housing options.

Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1485