Housing

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 5366: AN ACT CONCERNING MUNICIPAL RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL.

HB 5366 requires municipalities to grant developers a "right of first refusal" for affordable housing developments. It defines "affordable housing" as projects where at least 30% of units are permanently restricted (for 40 years) to be sold or rented at prices affordable for households earning ≤60% or ≤80% of median income. Developers must submit detailed affordability plans covering pricing calculations, marketing, and long-term administration, with rent/sale prices capped at 100% or 120% of HUD's Section 8 fair market rent for specific income tiers. This directly affects developers seeking housing approvals, municipalities reviewing applications, and low/moderate-income residents eligible for these units. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates 30% affordable units with 40-year restrictions, caps prices at 100-120% median income, and requires developer affordability plans to ensure long-term tenant protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 257: AN ACT CONCERNING EVICTIONS FOR CAUSE.

SB 257 limits landlords' reasons for evicting certain tenants, including those aged 62+ with a household member over 62, tenants with qualifying disabilities (or household members with such disabilities), or tenants who have lived in the unit for 12+ months. Landlords may only evict for specific reasons like nonpayment of rent, serious health/safety violations, or material lease breaches - not for the landlord (or family member) moving in, unless strict conditions are met (e.g., 90 days' notice and no available units). Rent increases for these protected tenants must be "fair and equitable" and can be challenged through local commissions or court. The law applies to buildings with five+ units or mobile home parks and takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRestricts no-cause evictions for vulnerable tenants (elderly, disabled, long-term renters), strengthening tenant protections under housing policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 5031: AN ACT MAKING DEFICIENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2026.

HB 5031 allocates $70,010,000 from the General Fund to cover budget shortfalls for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, directly affecting state agencies. Key provisions include $14.5 million for the Department of Housing’s homeless services, $5.5 million for mental health personal services, $5.775 million for emergency services, and $6 million for inmate medical services under Corrections. The bill funds ongoing operations and critical programs rather than creating new policies. It is a routine budget adjustment to address existing fiscal gaps, not a new legislative initiative.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $70M to cover budget shortfalls and fund critical programs (homeless services, mental health, emergency, inmate medical), directly supporting state operations and essential services without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $6M for inmate medical services under Corrections, directly funding a correctional program within the criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $5.5M for mental health services, $5.775M for emergency services, and $6M for inmate medical services, directly funding critical healthcare programs without restrictions.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $14.5M to Department of Housing for homeless services, directly funding housing assistance and addressing homelessness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Corrections Mental Health Homelessness

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 33: AN ACT REQUIRING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LEARN HERE, LIVE HERE PROGRAM, INCREASING THE ANNUAL EXPENDITURE ON SUCH PROGRAM AND MAKING SUCH PROGRAM AVAILABLE TO CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS.

SB 33 establishes the "Learn Here, Live Here" program, requiring the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development to create it with an annual budget of up to $5 million. The program targets individuals with an annual federal adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less. Key provisions include setting a funding cap of $5 million per year and restricting eligibility to low-income residents based on income thresholds. This bill directly affects qualifying low-income residents seeking housing support within the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5M annual funding for low-income housing support program, increasing state expenditure on public service for qualifying residents.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates $5M annual program for low-income housing support ($75k AGI cap), directly funding housing assistance for qualifying residents.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Affordable Housing Community Development Property Development

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passed · Connecticut · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 256: AN ACT CONCERNING THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY BY PRIVATE EQUITY ENTITIES.

SB 256 requires private equity entities (firms that pool investment capital to buy residential properties) to wait 75 days after a single-family or two-family home is listed for public sale before purchasing it. The bill mandates that if the listing price changes, the 75-day clock restarts. Private equity buyers must also provide written notice confirming the waiting period was observed. Violations may result in civil penalties up to $250,000, enforced by the Attorney General. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRestricts private equity purchases to protect tenants from rapid displacement and market disruption, aligning with tenant protection indicators.85% confidence

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in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 5235: AN ACT CONCERNING NOTICE REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS FOR THE REMOVAL OF ENCAMPMENTS ON PROPERTY UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

HB 5235 requires Connecticut's Commissioner of Transportation to develop a plan by January 2027 for addressing temporary shelters by people experiencing homelessness on state highway areas or DOT-owned property. The plan must include trained outreach procedures respecting dignity, immediate offers of emergency shelter assistance, and coordination with local municipalities, housing authorities, and service providers before any action is taken. It directly affects DOT operations, homeless individuals on state property, and local service providers who must collaborate in implementing the plan. The bill does not create new funding or penalties but mandates structured coordination to manage encampments.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates DOT to create plan for homeless shelter coordination, immediate emergency shelter offers, and housing authority collaboration, directly addressing homelessness through housing support measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 111: AN ACT AUTHORIZING BONDS OF THE STATE FOR WATER LINES AND NECESSARY EQUIPMENT IN THE TOWN OF HEBRON.

This bill authorizes the state to issue up to $2 million in bonds for water infrastructure in Hebron. The funds would be used by the Department of Public Health to install water lines and necessary equipment specifically to support new housing developments in the town. The bill directly affects Hebron residents and developers by providing state funding for essential water system upgrades. It does not change existing laws or create new regulations, but rather allocates existing bond authority for a defined local project.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates $2M for water infrastructure enabling new housing developments, directly funding essential infrastructure for housing construction.90% confidence

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 152: AN ACT APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HOUSING INSPECTIONS.

SB 152 appropriates $250,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Housing for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funds will hire additional full-time staff to inspect housing units participating in the state's rental assistance program, ensuring they comply with health, housing, building, and safety codes. This directly affects tenants in the rental assistance program and landlords receiving program funds, as inspections will verify housing safety standards. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and focuses solely on funding inspection staffing without changing eligibility or benefit amounts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $250k from General Fund to fund housing inspections for rental assistance program, advancing public service funding and compliance oversight.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds inspections to enforce safety standards in rental assistance program, protecting tenants and maintaining housing quality.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Renters

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 254: AN ACT CONCERNING TAX CREDITS FOR THE CONVERSION OF COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES.

SB 254 creates a tax credit program allowing owners of commercial buildings (like offices, retail spaces, or industrial properties) to receive a credit equal to 10% of eligible conversion costs when transforming those properties into residential developments. To qualify, the conversion must meet standards prioritizing affordable housing creation or preservation, and owners must spend at least $15,000 on eligible construction costs (excluding personal labor, site improvements, or non-construction fees). Before starting work, owners must submit a detailed conversion plan for approval by the Commissioner of Housing, and after completion, they must verify the work to receive the credit, which applies against specific Connecticut state taxes. The program is administered by the Commissioner of Housing, with standards posted online by January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 10% tax credit for commercial-to-residential conversions prioritizing affordable housing, reducing tax liability to incentivize housing development.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates tax credits for converting commercial properties to residential, prioritizing affordable housing creation/preservation. Directly advances affordable housing by incentivizing development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Affordable Housing Historic Preservation

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 219: AN ACT CONCERNING CIVIL PENALTIES FOR CERTAIN VIOLATIONS RELATING TO RENTAL SECURITY DEPOSITS.

SB 219 establishes that if Connecticut's Banking Commissioner finds a landlord violated rules about rental security deposits (specifically sections (b), (d), (h), or (i) of the law), the commissioner can order the landlord to pay a civil penalty of up to $100,000 per violation. The bill also requires landlords to stop violating these rules and comply with security deposit laws. This applies directly to landlords who fail to follow state deposit regulations, such as returning deposits or providing required notices. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, and gives the commissioner enforcement authority under existing statutes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStrengthens tenant protections by imposing civil penalties on landlords violating security deposit laws, directly advancing tenant rights in housing policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters

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