H.253 is a proposed bill aimed at advancing Vermont's housing and climate goals while promoting economic growth. The bill establishes a revolving fund at the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) to incentivize the development of low-cost, climate-friendly modular housing. It outlines a plan for bulk purchasing of homes produced through off-site construction to lower costs for single-family and multifamily housing. Additionally, the bill creates a new designation called workforce housing zones, which are geographic areas near job centers, and sets criteria for energy efficiency and affordability for the homes developed within these zones.

The bill also prioritizes funding for public water and wastewater systems in the newly designated workforce housing zones, ensuring that these areas receive necessary infrastructure support. It mandates a study by the Agency of Natural Resources to assess the proximity of existing systems, barriers to development, and options for expanding septic capacity. Furthermore, the bill raises the thresholds for jurisdiction under existing land use laws, allowing for more flexibility in housing project approvals within these zones. Overall, H.253 aims to streamline housing development and improve infrastructure in areas with high job availability.