Update Division Housing Function & Local Development

The current statutory functions of the division of housing (division) within the department of local affairs include conducting research into new approaches to housing throughout the state. The bill expands the list of research subjects to include:

• Transit-oriented development that includes increased housing density near employment, education, and town centers; and
• Advanced energy performance standards that minimize the total building operational costs during the affordability period.

The bill also eliminates certain statutory functions of the division that are now outdated.

The bill expands the list of existing functions of the division to include collaborating with other state agencies to develop incentives that support:

• Local development near transit corridors;
• Increased housing density development within employment, education, and town centers; and
• Energy performance standards that minimize total building operational costs during the affordability period.

The bill also requires the division to collaborate with other state agencies in connection with the disposition of state-owned assets to be used for low- and moderate-income housing.

The bill requires the division to maintain the confidentiality of all names, addresses, and personal identifying information of applicants, recipients, and former recipients of housing assistance. The division is permitted to publish or provide aggregate or de-identified data concerning applicants, recipients, and former recipients of housing assistance to third parties and other governmental entities, and to enter into data-sharing agreements authorizing the transfer of such information subject to restrictions specified in the bill.

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)