summary
Introduced
01/23/2026
01/23/2026
In Committee
02/18/2026
02/18/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Counties Code. Provides that specified counties may acquire real property for the purpose of creating or preserving affordable housing for persons making up to 150% of area median income annually. Provides that specified counties may enter into agreements to transfer real property with any unit of local government, any school district, or the State for the purpose of creating or preserving affordable housing for persons making up to 150% of the area median income annually. Provides that specified counties may enter into agreements to donate, lease below market rate, or sell below market rate, real property for the purpose of the creation or preservation of affordable housing for persons making up to 150% of area median income annually. Provides that specified counties may undertake any activity permitted by the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act for the purpose of creating, developing, encouraging the development, or preservation of the development of affordable housing for persons making up to 150% of area median income annually. Provides that specified counties may select purchasers and lessors for properties held by the county, a county land bank, or county land trust. Provides that specified counties may encourage and facilitate the creation of affordable housing within the geographic boundaries of the county, including areas within municipalities, by offering financial incentives, including but not limited to grants and loans, and infrastructure improvements, including but not limited to, stormwater detention, public water and sewer improvements, and similar improvement which facilitate increasing the supply of affordable housing units shall be considered improvements for a public purpose, to developers of affordable housing units. Provides that specified counties may enter into agreements with property owners to engage in clearance and remediation activities. Provides that, as part of an agreement, or in return for an infrastructure improvement, a county may impose a restriction on the title of an affordable housing development subject to the agreement that restricts the income level of inhabitants of all or part of the development.
AI Summary
This bill allows counties with populations between 750,000 and 2 million residents to take significant steps to increase affordable housing. Specifically, these counties can acquire land to create or preserve affordable housing for individuals and families earning up to 150% of their area's median income annually, which is the income level considered affordable. They can also enter into agreements with other local governments, school districts, or the state to transfer property for this purpose, or to donate, lease below market rate, or sell property at a reduced rate to facilitate affordable housing development. Furthermore, these counties are empowered to engage in any activities allowed by the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act to create, develop, or preserve affordable housing, and they can select buyers and renters for properties they hold, prioritizing the creation and maintenance of affordable housing without strict adherence to fair market value. To encourage development, counties can offer financial incentives like grants and loans, and fund infrastructure improvements such as stormwater detention and public water and sewer systems, which are considered public purposes when they help increase the supply of affordable housing. Finally, these counties can enter into agreements with property owners to clear and remediate sites, and as part of these agreements or in exchange for infrastructure improvements, they can place restrictions on the property titles to ensure that the housing remains affordable for a specified period, using federal guidelines to determine maximum rent.
Committee Categories
Housing and Urban Affairs
Sponsors (11)
Martha Deuter (D)*,
Dee Avelar (D),
Diane Blair-Sherlock (D),
Michael Crawford (D),
Margaret DeLaRosa (D),
Norma Hernandez (D),
Maura Hirschauer (D),
Stephanie Kifowit (D),
Yolonda Morris (D),
Michelle Mussman (D),
Janet Yang Rohr (D),
Last Action
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit (on 02/19/2026)
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