Bill > S690

This bill authorizes municipalities to protect low and moderate-income tenants and units of "governmentally-involved housing," which refers to residential properties built, improved, or supported by various federal and state housing programs designed to ensure affordability. The bill aims to address a housing emergency where such units are at risk of becoming unaffordable due to expiring subsidies, mortgage prepayments, or rent restrictions, which could displace low-income residents and reduce the available affordable housing stock. Municipalities that accept the bill's provisions can restrict the ability of owners to evict tenants or remove these housing units from low-income rental use, with specific exceptions for non-payment of rent, lease violations, or other just causes, while also encouraging owners to seek and accept government housing resources to maintain affordability. The bill also allows municipalities to establish local preferences for admission to these housing units upon turnover, ensuring they remain accessible to households with incomes consistent with the property's historical affordability.