Housing

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 5359: AN ACT CONCERNING PROVISIONS IN RESIDENTIAL RENTAL AGREEMENTS.

HB 5359, effective October 1, 2026, requires landlords in Connecticut to provide at least one no-fee payment method (like cash or check) for rent, prohibiting electronic funds transfer as the exclusive payment option. It bans specific unfair clauses in rental agreements, including excessive late fees, rent hikes for lease breaches, post-lease rent increases, and waivers of tenant rights under housing law. The bill also mandates the Department of Housing to create a bilingual (English/Spanish) standardized rental summary form by July 2026, clearly listing key terms like rent amount, landlord contact, and late fee details. This directly affects residential tenants and landlords by increasing transparency and limiting exploitative contract terms.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBans excessive late fees and rent hikes; mandates no-fee payment options; protects tenant rights under housing law95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 5114: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A REFUNDABLE CREDIT AGAINST THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX FOR A PORTION OF ANNUAL RENT PAYMENTS MADE BY A TAXPAYER FOR A PRIMARY RESIDENCE IN THE STATE.

HB 5114 would create a refundable tax credit for renters in the state who pay personal income tax. It allows eligible renters to claim a credit equal to a portion of their rent payments for a primary residence, based on the property tax assessed on that rental property. This credit directly reduces the renter's tax liability and, because it's refundable, could provide a cash refund even if the renter owes no tax. The bill affects renters with primary residences in the state who pay income tax, targeting those whose rent payments correlate with the property tax burden on their landlord's property.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates refundable tax credit reducing renter's tax liability, providing direct relief to eligible renters - aligns with tax relief for lower/middle income.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates refundable tax credit reducing rent costs for primary residence renters, directly increasing housing affordability for eligible tenants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 241: AN ACT CONCERNING THE WATERBURY LAND BANK.

SB 241 authorizes Connecticut to issue up to $5 million in state bonds to fund the Waterbury Land Bank Authority. The funds will be used by the Department of Economic and Community Development to provide grants for acquiring, maintaining, remediating, or developing real property in Waterbury. The bill creates a dedicated funding mechanism with the state pledging full credit for bond repayment, maturing within 20 years. This directly affects Waterbury residents and local property projects through targeted land bank activities.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes $5M in bonds for Waterbury Land Bank grants to acquire, develop, and remediate property, directly funding housing development projects in Waterbury.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development

Track

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 334: AN ACT CONCERNING THE COMPOSITION OF FAIR RENT COMMISSIONS.

SB 334 requires fair rent commissions in municipalities with 15,000 or more residents (as determined by the latest census) to consist of exactly 50% landlords and 50% tenants, effective January 1, 2027. These municipalities must establish such commissions or join a joint or regional commission by January 1, 2028. The commissions will investigate rental charges (excluding seasonal rentals) and address complaints about excessive rent to prevent unfair pricing. This requirement applies to all municipal, joint, and regional fair rent commissions created under the law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires balanced commissions to investigate excessive rent and prevent unfair pricing, directly protecting tenants from exploitative charges.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters

Track

in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 5365: AN ACT INCREASING CERTAIN HOUSING UNIT-EQUIVALENT POINTS.

HB 5365 modifies Connecticut's affordable housing moratorium rules by increasing the required "housing unit-equivalent points" municipalities must achieve to qualify for a moratorium on new affordable housing applications. It sets new thresholds: municipalities must create points equal to 2% of their total housing units (or 75 points) for most areas, or 1.75% (or 65 points) for larger municipalities with housing growth plans. The bill directly affects local governments developing affordable housing, exempting projects with 95% low-income units, under 40 dwelling units, or pre-existing applications from the moratorium. It establishes a certification process where municipalities must document completed housing developments meeting these point requirements to extend moratorium periods.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill increases required affordable housing points for municipalities to qualify for moratoriums, making it harder to block new projects and advancing housing development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

Track