Housing

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SB 518: AN ACT AMENDING A CONVEYANCE OF A PARCEL OF STATE LAND IN THE CITY OF MIDDLETOWN.

This bill amends a 1995 agreement regarding a 10-acre state-owned parcel in Middletown that was previously sold to the Shiloh Baptist Community Development Corporation. The legislation clarifies that the land must be used for moderate-income housing and public recreational facilities by June 30, 2029, while explicitly prohibiting its use for religious teaching or practice. If the corporation fails to begin construction by the deadline or does not comply with federal nondiscrimination requirements, the property will revert to state ownership. The bill also ensures that any existing mortgage debt remains enforceable even if the land reverts to the state.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates moderate-income housing development on state land, directly advancing affordable housing goals while prohibiting religious use.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Mortgages Property Development

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 5582: AN ACT AMENDING A PRIOR CONVEYANCE TO CONVEY AN ADDITIONAL PORTION OF A PARCEL OF STATE LAND TO THE TOWN OF STRATFORD.

This bill directs state officials to transfer an additional portion of state-owned land in Stratford to the town, completing a previous land conveyance that had retained some land for state use. The state will give the town a parcel at no cost except for administrative fees, while keeping a smaller portion for its own offices and parking under a formal agreement. The town must use the combined land for municipal and affordable housing purposes, and the land will return to state ownership if the town fails to meet these requirements or leases it to non-approved entities. State agencies must finalize a written agreement before the transfer occurs, and the State Properties Review Board will approve the process within 30 days.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill transfers state land to town specifically for municipal and affordable housing purposes, directly advancing housing availability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 5507: AN ACT PROMOTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS.

This bill promotes the development of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by updating state zoning regulations to allow these secondary housing units on single-family lots as a right, meaning local governments cannot ban them. The legislation defines ADUs as separate living spaces with cooking facilities on the same lot as a principal home and sets minimum size requirements while limiting what municipalities can require, such as prohibiting restrictions on occupants, utility billing, or rental use. Local zoning rules must allow ADUs to be attached or detached from the main home, with setbacks and lot coverage standards matching those of the primary residence, and municipalities cannot require more than one parking space or mandate owner occupancy. The bill also establishes a 65-day timeline for zoning commissions to review ADU applications and prevents conditions like mandatory fire sprinklers or corrections of nonconforming uses from blocking approval.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates ADU development as a right, expands affordable housing options, and limits municipal restrictions on secondary housing units.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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passed · Connecticut · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SB 401: AN ACT CONCERNING A BRIDGE PROGRAM TO ALLOW ACCESS TO FOOD, HOUSING AND HEALTH CARE BENEFITS.

This bill establishes a state-funded bridge program designed to help vulnerable individuals maintain access to food, housing, and healthcare benefits while they transition through changes in federal work requirements. The program would target veterans, homeless persons, adults with autism, foster care aging out, and older adults at risk of losing Medicaid or nutrition assistance, requiring state agencies to develop a plan by October 2026. Key provisions include supplementing existing job support programs, providing temporary state-funded assistance equivalent to current benefits, recommending long-term housing solutions, and documenting employability for potential federal waivers. The plan must be submitted to legislative committees by January 2027 along with funding estimates and implementation timelines.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes state-funded bridge program to maintain access to essential benefits, indicating increased funding for public services and support for vulnerable populations.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes state-funded bridge program to maintain healthcare benefits access for vulnerable populations during federal work requirement transitions.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes state-funded bridge program to help vulnerable individuals maintain access to housing benefits and prevent homelessness during federal work requirement transitions.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes state-funded bridge program specifically targeting veterans to maintain access to food, housing, and healthcare benefits during federal work requirement transitions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Homelessness

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in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 5536: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A STATE SHORT-TERM RENTAL REGISTRY.

This bill creates a state registry for short-term rentals in Connecticut, requiring operators and owners to register each property annually with the Department of Revenue Services by January 1, 2027, unless the property is already licensed by a local municipality. Registration includes paying a $100 fee per property and providing owner and operator contact information, with penalties of up to $1,000 for unregistered listings. The bill also allows municipalities to vote on adding an optional supplemental tax of up to 2.75% on short-term rental stays, which would be collected and remitted by operators or owners alongside existing state taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a state registry and authorizes optional municipal supplemental tax on short-term rentals, generating revenue for state and local budgets while improving fiscal oversight.85% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill restricts short-term rental availability through mandatory registration and fees, potentially reducing housing supply and limiting housing options for residents.75% confidence

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passed · Connecticut · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 447: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION.

This bill establishes a new property tax exemption that reduces the assessed value of primary residences by $50,000 for qualifying homeowners. It directly affects owners of single-family homes, condominiums, and common interest community units who live in the property as their main home. To claim the exemption, homeowners must file an application with their local assessor by November 1 each year, declaring that the dwelling is their primary residence, they own no other primary residence, and they have not claimed this exemption for another property in the same year. The Office of Policy and Management will create and publish the required application form online and may request additional documentation to verify eligibility. This change replaces an existing optional exemption that allowed some municipalities to offer a percentage-based tax reduction on primary residences.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax relief by reducing assessed value of primary residences, directly supporting tax relief for homeowners.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides property tax exemption for primary residences, reducing housing costs for homeowners and supporting affordable housing access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes

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in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 16, 2026

HB 5440: AN ACT CONCERNING THE AWARD OF REASONABLE ATTORNEY'S FEES BY THE COURT IN ENTRY AND DETAINER CASES.

This bill allows courts to order the losing party in forcible entry and detainer cases to pay reasonable attorney's fees to the winning party. It directly affects landlords and tenants involved in eviction proceedings where property was forcibly entered, detained, or damaged. The key provision requires judges to award attorney's fees when they find that forcible entry occurred, damage was caused, or regaining possession would require breaking the peace. The law also permits courts to award double damages along with attorney's fees in specific civil actions related to these types of property disputes. These changes take effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant protections by allowing courts to award attorney's fees in eviction cases, reducing barriers for tenants facing unlawful entry or damage.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 5502: AN ACT CONCERNING HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ON CERTAIN LOTS ZONED FOR INDUSTRIAL USE OR PREVIOUSLY ZONED FOR RESIDENTIAL USE.

This bill requires Connecticut municipalities to allow the construction of middle housing developments near transit stations or highways on lots currently zoned for industrial use or previously zoned for residential use. It also permits such developments on lots zoned for general residential use, provided the municipality uses a streamlined review process. To encourage adoption, the bill awards municipalities additional points toward state housing goals for each approved middle housing unit, and it prevents towns from repealing these zoning rules during certain affordable housing moratorium periods.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates municipalities to allow middle housing developments on industrial and residential lots, incentivizing increased housing supply through streamlined reviews and state housing goal points.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes transit-oriented development by allowing housing near transit stations and highways, encouraging sustainable transportation and reducing car dependency.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Zoning

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in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 5505: AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF CERTAIN COMMERCIAL WAREHOUSES FOR THE HOUSING OR SHELTER OF PERSONS.

This bill requires municipalities to issue permits before any large commercial warehouse can be used to house or shelter people for more than 24 hours. To get a permit, applicants must prove the facility meets strict standards, including providing sanitary facilities, clean water, proper sleeping arrangements, temperature control, and enough personal storage space for each person. The law also mandates that each individual housed in the warehouse has at least 200 square feet of space and that the building complies with state health and safety codes. Local governments can choose to ban this type of use entirely, and permits can be revoked if the facility fails to meet requirements.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill restricts warehouse use for housing/shelter by requiring permits and strict standards, limiting emergency housing options and potentially reducing available shelter capacity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Connecticut · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 339: AN ACT ALLOWING LONG-TERM RENTAL OF BEDROOMS IN A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME AS OF RIGHT.

This bill allows homeowners to rent up to three bedrooms in their single-family home for six months or longer without needing special municipal approval. It directly affects single-family homeowners (who can rent bedrooms without permits) and municipalities (which can no longer ban such rentals through zoning rules). The key mechanism amends zoning laws to prohibit local bans on this rental type, making it "as of right" (meaning no special permit is required). This applies only to owner-occupants living in the home, not absentee landlords.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves zoning barriers for homeowners to rent bedrooms, increasing housing supply without municipal approval, directly advancing affordable housing access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Zoning

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