Bill > HB333

This bill establishes new provisions for affordable housing developed by religious organizations in Kentucky. It defines "affordable housing" as a residential unit for households earning up to 80% of the area's median income, and "religious developer" as a religious institution or its representative. The bill designates affordable housing developed by a religious developer as a "permitted use," meaning it will only undergo a simple "ministerial review" by a planning unit to ensure it meets specific criteria, rather than a more complex approval process. These criteria include the housing being on property owned by the religious institution before January 1, 2026, exclusively containing affordable housing, having 24 or fewer units, and being located on a parcel in certain commercial, business, or residential zones that meet specific adjacency requirements, or converting a former school building. The affordability obligation will last for 15 years and must be legally recorded, with annual reporting required. If a development no longer meets these requirements, it will need to seek full approval from the planning unit. The Kentucky Housing Corporation is authorized to provide advice to religious developers. Additionally, homeless shelters operated by religious institutions will be permitted uses in commercial, business, or industrial zones, provided they obtain all other necessary permits.

Government Affairs

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/hb333.html