Senate Bill No. 142, also known as File No. 15, aims to improve the quality of life for residents in housing authority properties by establishing a Housing Authority Resident Quality of Life Improvement Grant Program. This program, administered by the Department of Housing, will provide grants to housing authorities based on recommendations from their resident advisory boards. The grants, capped at $250,000 per fiscal year, are to be used for ongoing benefits to residents, with applications starting October 1, 2024. The bill also sets up a task force to study the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program, focusing on its impact on at-risk populations. The task force, comprising members appointed by legislative leaders, must report its findings by January 16, 2025, and will dissolve upon submission of the report or on the same date, whichever is later.

The bill includes an insertion clarifying that Connecticut housing authorities not administering federal HUD programs or receiving HUD funding are not considered public housing agencies and thus are not required to establish resident advisory boards. The fiscal impact statement notes that the Department of Housing will incur annual costs of up to $286,500 starting in FY 25 for the grant program and associated staffing, with additional fringe benefit costs. The establishment of the task force is not expected to have a fiscal impact as it will utilize existing General Assembly Housing Committee staff. The Housing Committee has passed the bill with a Joint Favorable vote of 12 yeas to 3 nays on February 29, 2024.