Raised Bill No. 7112 seeks to enhance affordable housing initiatives and address homelessness in Connecticut through a series of strategic measures. The bill mandates a feasibility study by the majority leaders' roundtable group on the establishment of an Affordable Housing Real Estate Investment Trust, which aims to acquire housing units for long-term affordability. Additionally, it creates a task force to explore a housing opportunity tax credit for landlords who rent to formerly incarcerated individuals, offering a 25% tax credit on rental income. Both the study and task force are required to submit reports by January 1, 2026. The bill also modifies zoning regulations to facilitate housing development, prohibits municipalities from imposing certain restrictions, and allows for funding from a new sustainable infrastructure support program for municipalities with water pollution control plans that support housing development.

Furthermore, the bill introduces several pilot programs and funding allocations to support housing and social services. It establishes a rental assistance program for low-income families, prohibits hostile architecture in public spaces, and mandates data collection on LGBTQ+ youth in state care. The bill also increases the state's bond issuance limit for affordable housing projects from $875 million to $1.075 billion, with specific allocations for the fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Additionally, it creates a middle housing development grant pilot program and a pilot program for direct rental assistance to individuals on the Housing Choice Voucher waiting list. Overall, Raised Bill No. 7112 aims to improve housing support, enhance community investment, and ensure ethical governance in funding processes.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 7-246, 8-2, 8-345, 32-285a