House Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to facilitate the transfer of surplus immovable state property for the development of low-income housing in Louisiana. The bill amends existing laws to shift the responsibility of reporting on surplus property from the natural resources committees of the legislature to the Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC). It also stipulates that the commissioner of administration can only sell nonproductive property if it is not earmarked by the LHC for affordable housing development. Additionally, the bill establishes a new section (R.S. 40:600.112) that defines various terms related to affordable housing and outlines the process for the LHC to maintain an inventory of surplus properties, evaluate proposals from affordable housing entities, and report on the outcomes of these developments.

The proposed law defines "affordable housing" and sets criteria for evaluating proposals based on factors such as the inclusion of permanent supportive housing units and the proportion of deeply affordable housing. It mandates that the LHC enter into cooperative endeavor agreements with selected affordable housing entities, allowing for in-kind contributions in exchange for property rights. The LHC is also required to provide annual reports to the legislature and the governor detailing the properties conveyed, the number of affordable housing units proposed and completed, and the inventory of developments approved. This bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
HB809 Original: 39:13(B), 41:140(B)