Bill > S1649

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 for housing. Specifically, it enables municipalities to request that lands taken or purchased for state purposes, or real property deemed surplus to public agency needs, be sold with conditions, such as affordable housing restrictions, which are defined as housing for households earning up to 120% of the median income as determined by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). When property is sold with these housing restrictions or other public purpose restrictions, it must be sold at a price below its fair market value, and for properties over 2 acres, or smaller ones if deemed necessary or requested by the municipality, a public hearing will be held to consider these reuse restrictions, with notice published in local newspapers.