Housing

This bill prohibits large institutional investors from buying single-family homes in Michigan to prevent corporate ownership of residential properties. It defines these investors as for-profit entities managing or owning over 100 homes statewide with at least $375 million in assets, while allowing exceptions for new construction projects or those that renovate homes with significant improvements. The law applies to various acquisition methods, including mergers and foreclosures, and sets a civil penalty of up to $25,000 per home for any violations.

SB 966 amends the State Housing Development Authority Act of 1966 to add new powers for the State Housing Development Authority in Michigan. The bill allows the authority to establish and collect fees for its publications, loans, and related services, and to use the resulting income for its corporate purposes. These funds are not considered interest and can be used to support the authority's housing initiatives, provided they are not pledged for bond repayment. The legislation directly affects the State Housing Development Authority by expanding its financial and operational capabilities to better serve housing needs across Michigan.

SB 792 amends Michigan's "Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act" to clarify definitions and update eligibility for tax exemptions on rehabilitation projects. The bill specifies that "obsolete property" includes blighted, functionally obsolete, or brownfield sites (e.g., industrial buildings converted to residential use), and defines "rehabilitation" to require major improvements (exceeding 10% of property value), excluding minor repairs. It refines criteria for local governments to establish rehabilitation districts, limiting eligibility to areas with economic hardship indicators like low median income or proximity to large cities. This affects property owners and local governments in designated districts by ensuring only substantial rehabilitation projects qualify for tax relief under the updated rules.

This bill creates the Hotel and Lodging Pricing Protection Act to stop businesses from raising room rates by more than 20% during a declared state of emergency unless they can prove the increase is due to higher costs or pre-existing contracts. The law applies to hotels, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, and short-term rentals like Airbnb, but excludes large resort-managed units. It allows prosecutors to investigate violations by issuing legal demands for documents and testimony, with courts empowered to enforce compliance if the investigation is deemed proper.

Senate Bill 278 amends the State Housing Development Authority Act of 1966 to modify the Michigan Housing and Community Development Fund. It expands the fund's focus to include middle-income households and projects located in downtown areas or adjacent neighborhoods, in addition to existing support for low-income households. The bill revises how the fund's money is allocated, adding considerations for accessible housing and the availability of other funding sources for specific groups, while removing some previous earmarks for rental and homeownership projects. It also enhances public engagement requirements for the fund's biennial allocation plan, mandating virtual participation options and targeted outreach.

SB 967 amends Michigan's income tax law to establish a new state low-income housing tax credit effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027. This credit is designed for project owners and equity investors who have been allocated funds to support affordable housing developments, allowing them to reduce their state tax liability by the amount of the credit. The bill includes specific rules for claiming the credit, such as requiring the attachment of an allocation form to tax returns, and mandates that the credit be claimed after other tax credits. Additionally, the legislation requires the state department to recapture a portion of the credit from taxpayers if the related federal tax credit is later disallowed or recaptured. If the credit amount exceeds a taxpayer's tax liability for the year, the unused portion can be carried forward for up to 10 years to offset future taxes.