House Bill No. 5002, also known as Public Act No. 25-49, seeks to improve housing reporting and zoning regulations in Connecticut to better serve homeless individuals and promote affordable housing. The bill requires housing authorities to submit annual reports to the Commissioner of Housing and the municipality's chief executive officer, detailing information on existing housing, new construction, rental transactions, and price levels categorized by income group. It introduces new reporting requirements for rental price levels and the number of rental units at various price points while repealing previous reporting mandates. Additionally, the bill revises zoning regulations to facilitate the development of middle housing on commercially zoned lots, emphasizing environmental impacts and comprehensive planning in zoning decisions.

The legislation also proposes significant changes to affordable housing regulations, including the repeal of Section 8-30j and the introduction of new definitions and requirements for municipalities regarding affordable housing plans. Municipalities must adopt and regularly review an affordable housing plan, with specific deadlines for submission based on alphabetical order. The bill establishes a fair share allocation methodology for affordable housing, requiring municipalities to submit an inventory of vacant land and detailing the need for affordable housing units. Furthermore, it introduces provisions for first-time homebuyer savings accounts, modifies tax treatment for Social Security benefits, and enhances civil rights protections in housing. Overall, House Bill No. 5002 aims to create a more inclusive housing framework while addressing the needs of vulnerable populations and streamlining the development process.

Statutes affected:
File No. 973: 8-68d, 8-3, 8-30j, 4-68ii, 4-66k, 12-701, 3-129g, 8-2o, 7-148b, 21-83, 29-195, 8-446a
Public Act No. 25-49: 8-68d, 8-3, 8-30j, 4-68ii, 4-66k, 12-701, 3-129g, 8-2o, 7-148b, 21-83, 29-195, 8-446a