Bill > H2756

This bill aims to make it easier for municipalities to use surplus government property for affordable and workforce housing by allowing them to petition state departments to declare land no longer needed for public purposes and to sell it with restrictions. Specifically, municipalities can ask the relevant department to determine that certain lands are no longer needed and can then petition to sell this property with "reuse restrictions," which include affordable housing requirements as defined by state law or restrictions for households earning up to 120% of the median income as determined by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), aligning with the municipality's planning goals. If a property is sold with such a restriction serving a public purpose, it must be sold at a price below its fair market value. The bill also outlines procedures for public hearings on these reuse restrictions, especially for larger parcels or when requested by the municipality, and ensures that any sale subject to these restrictions is priced below market value.