Bill > H0826

This bill establishes the Land Access and Opportunity Fund, to be managed by the Land Access and Opportunity Board (LAOB), to support affordable housing and create economic opportunities, particularly for historically marginalized or disadvantaged communities, by providing grants and loans for projects like tenant purchases of buildings, renovation of owner-occupied housing, and development of transitional housing, with a focus on sustainable community development and resilience. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Taxes, in collaboration with the Joint Fiscal Office, will produce a report by July 1, 2027, evaluating tax incentives and penalties related to preserving affordable housing, considering factors like rent affordability, owner costs, and potential benefits for disadvantaged communities. Finally, it creates a Land Security Working Group, composed of various stakeholders including representatives from the LAOB, housing and development agencies, and community advocacy groups, to assess the impacts of land use and conservation policies and identify ways to protect agricultural land for food security, with a report due to the General Assembly by December 15, 2026.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.826