Substitute Bill No. 4 is a comprehensive piece of legislation aimed at addressing Connecticut's housing needs, with changes effective from October 1, 2023. The bill amends existing laws to protect tenants from eviction during the winter months by prohibiting notices to quit possession from December 1st to March 1st, except in cases of serious nuisance. It also caps fees for tenant screening reports and mandates that landlords provide a copy of the report and receipt to prospective tenants. The bill defines a grace period for late rent payments and limits late charges. It requires nonresident property owners to report their address to municipal authorities and mandates the Commissioner of Housing to develop standardized rental agreement forms. The bill also enhances housing code enforcement by allowing agencies to issue violation notices with specified correction periods and imposes penalties for non-compliance, which can become liens on the property.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new workforce housing opportunity development program, offering tax credits to contributors of eligible projects in opportunity zones. It sets rental unit allocation requirements for different income levels and mandates project completion within three years, with progress reporting. The bill also outlines tax credit provisions for business entities contributing to housing programs, with a cap on the total amount of credits available per fiscal year. It revises building permit processes and exempts certain projects from fees, while also allowing municipalities to offer tax exemptions for workforce housing projects. The bill establishes a mortgage assistance program for developers, a pilot program for retrofitting older multifamily residences, and a task force to study the conversion of commercial properties to affordable housing. Lastly, it appropriates funds for energy efficiency grants and sets various effective dates for the bill's provisions.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 21-64, 12-63b, 8-395, 29-263
HSG Joint Favorable Substitute: 12-63b, 8-395, 29-263
File No. 203: 12-63b, 8-395
APP Joint Favorable: 12-63b, 8-395, 29-263