The bill H.479 establishes the Vermont Rental Housing Improvement Program, aimed at enhancing the accessibility and quality of rental housing. It exempts entities involved in the program from certain lending regulations to provide greater flexibility in funding and project execution. The bill increases the maximum funding available for the rehabilitation or creation of rental units, adding an extra $20,000 for units that meet visitability standards. It also modifies tenant eligibility criteria for landlords receiving grants or loans, focusing on support for vulnerable populations, including those exiting homelessness and individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the bill creates the Vermont Manufactured Home Improvement and Repair Program, which offers financial assistance for improving manufactured homes and parks, with specific funding limits for community and individual projects.

Moreover, the bill establishes a Residential Universal Design Study Committee to explore the implementation of universal design standards for residential buildings, with a report due by November 1, 2025. It amends existing laws to improve housing data access, streamline housing appeals, and enhance the brownfield property cleanup process, including a requirement for municipalities to share assessor database extracts with the Tax Department. The bill also mandates the Secretary of Natural Resources to prioritize remediation reviews at sites planned for housing and requires a report on brownfields challenges and potential solutions. Significant changes to the landlord certification process are included, such as the requirement for rental property owners to submit detailed certificates of rent to the Department of Taxes, while deleting the previous requirement for a public database of rental units. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with certain sections effective upon passage.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 10-699, 24-119, 32-5404, 32-5930u, 10-8502, 10-8504, 24-4465, 24-4441, 10-6641, 32-6069
As Passed By the House -- Official: 10-699, 24-119, 32-5404, 32-5930u, 10-8502, 10-8504, 24-4465, 24-4441, 10-6641, 32-6069
As Passed By the House -- Unofficial: 10-699, 24-119, 32-5404, 10-8502, 10-8504, 24-4465, 24-4441, 10-6641, 32-6069