CHAPTER 127c
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:
HOUSING. GENERAL PROVISIONS

      Sec. 8-37r. Department of Economic and Community Development. Successor to Housing Department and the housing functions of the Department of Economic Development. (a) There shall be a Department of Economic and Community Development which shall be the lead agency for all matters relating to housing. The department head shall be the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, who shall be appointed by the Governor in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-5 to 4-8, inclusive, with the powers and duties therein prescribed. Said commissioner shall be responsible at the state level for all aspects of policy, development, redevelopment, preservation, maintenance and improvement of housing and neighborhoods.

      (b) Said department shall constitute a successor to the functions, powers and duties of the Department of Economic Development relating to housing, community development, redevelopment and urban renewal as set forth in chapters 128, 129, 130, 135 and 136 in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d, 4-38e and 4-39.

      (P.A. 79-598, S. 3, 27; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6.)

      History: P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 replaced Commissioner and Department of Housing with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development.

      See Sec. 8-206 re further powers and duties of the commissioner.

      Sec. 8-37s. Commissioner to monitor housing needs and publish data on housing production. The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall monitor the progress of the public and private sector toward meeting housing needs and shall collect and annually publish data on housing production in the state. In order to ensure a steady flow of information for the purposes of this section, all municipalities shall submit to the commissioner a copy of the monthly federal Bureau of the Census report on building permits issued and public construction filed at the same time as such report is filed with the federal Bureau of the Census.

      (P.A. 79-598, S. 6; P.A. 82-69; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6; P.A. 99-94, S. 1; P.A. 05-191, S. 3.)

      History: P.A. 82-69 required that municipal report on building permits and public construction be filed with commissioner; P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 replaced Commissioner and Department of Housing with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development; P.A. 99-94 changed annual report from being based on housing needs to consisting of data on housing production; P.A. 05-191 deleted provision requiring annual submission of data to Governor, General Assembly and Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management.

      Sec. 8-37t. Long-range state housing plan. Annual action plan. (a) Not later than January 1, 2000, and every five years thereafter, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development together with the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, shall prepare a long-range state housing plan, which shall conform and be subject to the plan of conservation and development for the state adopted by the General Assembly. The plan shall: (1) Contain an assessment of the housing needs of households with incomes less than one hundred per cent of the average area median income, adjusted for family size, analyzed separately for households with incomes (A) less than twenty-five per cent of the area median income, (B) more than twenty-five per cent but not more than fifty per cent of the area median income, (C) more than fifty per cent but not more than eighty per cent of the area median income, and (D) more than eighty per cent but not more than one hundred per cent of the area median income; (2) analyze the households served by the housing construction, substantial rehabilitation, purchase and rental assistance programs, including the number of households served by each program, the total amount of financial assistance provided to such households and the race of households served under such programs; (3) provide information on affirmative fair housing marketing activities and programs and an analysis of occupancy results of affirmative fair housing marketing plans and shall include data on the racial composition of the occupants and persons on the waiting list of each housing project which is assisted under any housing program established by the general statutes or special act or which is supervised by the commissioner or the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority; (4) set specific measurable goals for meeting identified housing needs; (5) outline strategies for meeting those goals; and (6) identify state, federal and private sector resources for affordable housing programs. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to require an occupant or applicant to disclose the race of such occupant or applicant on an application or survey form. The long-range plan shall be updated annually by an action plan that assesses the state's progress toward meeting housing needs contained in the long-range plan and recommends revised strategies, if deemed necessary. In preparing the long-range plan and subsequent action plans, the commissioner shall consult with representatives of those who use or benefit from state housing programs.

      (b) The Department of Economic and Community Development shall submit the long-range housing plan to the General Assembly not later than January 1, 2000, and each action plan not later than January first of each subsequent year, after receiving public review and comment on the long-range plan and each action plan through written remarks and public hearings. The commencement date of each plan shall be the July first following the submission of the plan.

      (P.A. 79-598, S. 7; P.A. 86-129, S. 1, 3; P.A. 90-257, S. 15, 17; P.A. 91-362, S. 4; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6; P.A. 99-94, S. 2.)

      History: P.A. 86-129 extended period for advisory plan from three years to five years and changed dates for submission and commencement of plan; P.A. 90-257 organized the section into subsections and in new Subsec. (a) specified the content of the plan and in new Subsec. (b) required that the plans be submitted in 1993, deleting obsolete reference to 1987; P.A. 91-362 amended Subsec. (a) by adding new Subdiv. (3) requiring that the report contain information on affirmative fair marketing activities; P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 replaced Commissioner and Department of Housing with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development; P.A. 99-94 replaced five-year advisory plan with long-range housing plan, expanded the contents of plan by requiring inclusion of data on households served, information on fair housing marketing, specific goals and strategies to meet housing needs, and identification of resources for affordable housing programs, and required submission of an annual action plan.

      See chapter 134 (Sec. 8-241 et seq.) re the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority.

      Sec. 8-37u. Commissioner to coordinate housing policy and activities. Operating plan to be submitted and followed by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority. Commissioner to consult with Commissioner of Agriculture. (a) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall work with regional planning agencies, regional councils of elected officials, regional councils of governments, municipalities and municipal agencies, housing authorities and other appropriate agencies for the purpose of coordinating housing policy and housing activities, provided such coordination shall not be construed to restrict or diminish any power, right or authority granted to any municipality, agency, instrumentality, commission or any administrative or executive head thereof in accordance with the other provisions of the general statutes to proceed with any programs, projects or activities.

      (b) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall coordinate on an ongoing basis the activities and programs of state agencies or quasi-state authorities which have a major impact on the cost, production or availability of housing, provided, such coordination shall not be construed to restrict or diminish any power, right or authority granted to any such agency or authority, or of any administrative or executive head thereof in accordance with the other provisions of the general statutes, to proceed with any programs, projects or activities, except as specifically provided in this section.

      (c) In order to facilitate such coordination, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority shall submit annually to the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development a projected twelve-month operating plan. Said plan shall be prepared in a manner so as to be consistent with the five-year plan referred to in section 8-37t as such plan is then in effect. Said plan shall include such matters as the authority determines are necessary and shall include, but not be limited to, production targets under each multifamily program of the authority, including targets for rental housing production for both elderly and nonelderly families in a proportion consistent with housing needs estimated pursuant to section 8-37t; proposed new and expanded programs; proposed outreach activities to help serve areas of the state or segments of the population whose housing needs have been particularly underserved, and estimated level of subsidy needed to support the proposed level of production. The first such plan shall be submitted to the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development prior to January 1, 1981, and subsequent plans on each twelve-month anniversary thereof.

      (d) In the event the commissioner determines that the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority has not complied with the requirements of subsection (c) of this section, he shall file a report with the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management setting forth the items of the plan which are inconsistent with the five-year plan and setting forth those recommendations which in his opinion would result in such plan being consistent with the five-year plan. In the event that the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management concurs with the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, he shall convene a panel of the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, the chairman of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, which panel shall resolve the inconsistencies. Nothing contained in this section shall limit the right or obligation of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority to comply with the provisions of or covenants contained in any contract with or for the benefit of the holders of any bonds, notes or other obligations evidencing indebtedness of such authority.

      (e) The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority shall, to the maximum extent practical, conduct its business according to the plan approved by the commissioner.

      (f) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall consult with the Commissioner of Agriculture with regard to the policies, activities, plans and programs specified in this section and the impact on and degree of protection provided to agricultural land by such policies, activities, plans and programs.

      (P.A. 79-598, S. 8; P.A. 86-129, S. 2, 3; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6; P.A. 04-189, S. 1; 04-222, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 86-129 amended Subsecs. (c) and (d) to extend period of plan from three years to five years; P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 replaced Commissioner and Department of Housing with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development; P.A. 04-189, effective June 1, 2004, repealed Secs. 146 to 148, inclusive, of June 6 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 which had created a single Department of Agriculture and Consumer Protection from separate Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, necessitating substitution of "Commissioner of Agriculture" for "Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Protection" in P.A. 04-222; P.A. 04-222 added new Subsec. (f) requiring Commissioner of Economic and Community Development to consult with Commissioner of Agriculture, effective July 1, 2004.

      See Sec. 4-124c et seq. re regional councils of elected officials.

      See Sec. 4-124i et seq. re regional councils of governments.

      See chapter 127 (Sec. 8-31 et seq.) re regional planning agencies.

      See chapter 134 (Sec. 8-241 et seq.) re the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority.

      Sec. 8-37v. Research activities. The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development is authorized to undertake and carry out research activities, including, but not limited to, examination of housing needs and means of meeting those needs; investigation of techniques and opportunities for reducing housing costs, preserving neighborhoods and reducing energy consumption; testing of innovative housing technologies; the use of mobile and modular housing; and such other activities as he deems necessary to aid the state, its municipalities and the housing industry in meeting housing and community development needs.

      (P.A. 79-598, S. 9; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6.)

      History: P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 replaced Commissioner and Department of Housing with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development.

      Sec. 8-37w. Model ordinance and procedures for regulation of land development. (a) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall develop and publish a model ordinance and model procedures which may be adopted by municipalities in regulating the development of land, which ordinance and procedures shall provide for: (1) The utilization of a single consolidated application form for use by all municipal agencies having jurisdiction to review and approve such development; (2) coordination of staff review and communications between staff and the applicant; (3) the elimination of separate public hearings by review agencies whenever practicable and if requested by the applicant; and (4) the concurrent running of all applicable time limits for decisions by approval agencies.

      (b) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall submit any model ordinances or procedures developed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section to the General Assembly for its approval prior to publishing or promulgating any such ordinances or procedures.

      (P.A. 81-233, S. 1, 2; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6.)

      History: P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 replaced Commissioner and Department of Housing with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development.

      Sec. 8-37x. Powers of Commissioner of Economic and Community Development. Housing authority purchases. Deferred payments of interest or principal. When commissioner deemed an eligible developer. Dissolution of eligible developer of state-financed property. Exceptions. Regulations. (a) As used in this section, "authority" or "housing authority" means any of the public corporations created by section 8-40 and the Connecticut Housing Authority when exercising the rights, powers, duties or privileges of, or subject to the immunities or limitations of, housing authorities pursuant to section 8-121, and "housing project" means a project developed or administered pursuant to chapter 128.

      (b) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development may: (1) Collect and correlate information regarding housing projects of authorities in the state and upon request to furnish the authorities, in matters of common interest, information, advice and the services of expert personnel; (2) study state-wide needs for the elimination of substandard housing to stimulate state and city planning involving housing, and otherwise to study housing needs, both rural and urban, and to formulate proposals for meeting these needs; (3) study methods of encouraging investment of private capital in low rent housing; (4) study the necessity, feasibility and advantage of the use of state credit by way of loan or subsidy to assist the financing of housing projects for persons of low income; and (5) accept grants-in-aid of any of said commissioner's powers made pursuant to the provisions of any state or federal law and, for the purpose of complying with the requirements or recommendations of any such law, to prepare such plans and specifications and to make such studies, surveys, reports or recommendations concerning existing or contemplated housing conditions or projects in the state as may be necessary or appropriate.

      (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of the general statutes, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development may, after conducting a public bidding process as provided in section 8-44, enter into a master contract or contracts with local, regional or state-wide suppliers of labor, supplies, materials, services or personal property on behalf of one or more housing authorities operating state-financed housing programs or projects. The commissioner may, in said commissioner's discretion, with respect to partially completed state-financed programs or projects or in the event of emergencies affecting human health, safety, welfare and life or endangering property, waive the bidding requirement and threshold of said section 8-44.

      (d) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development may designate as said commissioner's agent any deputy commissioner or any employee to exercise such authority of the commissioner as said commissioner delegates for the administration of any applicable statute or regulation.

      (e) As used in this subsection, "troubled loan" means a loan in which payments of interest or principal, or both interest and principal, (1) are delinquent under the terms of a loan agreement, or (2) may become delinquent under conditions which exist which would reasonably lead the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development to believe that a borrower would be unable to repay the loan. Said commissioner may authorize the deferred payments of interest or principal, or both interest and principal, or a portion thereof, in the case of a troubled loan made by the commissioner under any provision of the general statutes or special acts if said commissioner determines the deferral to be in the best interests of the state. Such determination shall be in writing and shall include a statement of the reasons why the deferral is in the best interests of the state. Any deferral made under the provisions of this section shall be subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission.

      (f) Upon an action by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development to preserve the state's interest in any contract for financial assistance that results in the state acquiring title to any housing property, the commissioner shall be deemed to be an eligible developer, as defined in section 8-39, for the purposes of operating the property and receiving state or federal financial assistance on behalf of the property or the operation of the property.

      (g) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with the executive director of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, upon the lawful dissolution of any eligible developer of property financed with a loan, grant or any combination thereof from the state, may (1) accept ownership of property owned by such a developer in the name of the state and dispose of such property to an eligible developer for a price and upon terms that the commissioner deems proper, provided such action shall preserve the property as housing for very low, low or moderate income persons; or (2) after approval by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management allow such property to participate in any programs that the commissioner operates, in order to preserve the property as housing for very low, low or moderate income persons. For purposes of this subsection, "housing" includes facilities and amenities incidental and pertinent to the provision of affordable housing and intended primarily to serve the residents of the affordable housing development, including, but not limited to, a community room, a laundry room, day care space, a computer center, a management center or playground.

      (h) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (g) of this section, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall allow the continued use of: (1) The Saint Joseph's Residence for Mothers and Children, located in Bridgeport, which is utilized as a day care center; (2) the House of Bread, located in Hartford, which is utilized as a community day care center and corporate offices; and (3) the Rainbow Court Cooperative, located in Middletown, which is utilized as rental units for lower income persons.

      (i) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to carry out the purposes of the Department of Economic and Community Development as established by statute.

      (P.A. 86-281, S. 8; P.A. 91-165; P.A. 93-165, S. 1, 7; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6; P.A. 97-173, S. 1; P.A. 99-94, S. 3; P.A. 02-79, S. 1; 02-99, S. 1; P.A. 03-95, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 91-165 added new Subsec. (d) authorizing commissioner to designate deputy commissioner as his agent; P.A. 93-165 added Subsec. (e) concerning authorization by the commissioner of housing of deferred payments in the case of a troubled loan and Subsec. (f) providing the commissioner of housing with general regulatory authority, effective June 23, 1993; P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 replaced Commissioner and Department of Housing with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development; P.A. 97-173 moved definition of "troubled loan" in Subdiv. (1) of Subsec. (e) to beginning of provision and amended said definition by adding alternative re payments which may become delinquent; (Revisor's note: In 1999, the word "he" was inserted in Subsec. (b) by the revisors immediately preceding the words " shall have power:" to correct an inadvertent omission of language originally enacted in P.A. 86-281); P.A. 99-94 amended Subsec. (e) by deleting requirement of annual report regarding troubled loans and making technical changes; P.A. 02-79 amended Subsec. (c) by repealing provision authorizing commissioner to approve the use by housing authorities of certain federal purchasing programs and changing "fiscal limits" to "threshold", effective July 1, 2002; P.A. 02-99 inserted new Subsec. (f) deeming commissioner an eligible developer upon action by commissioner to preserve state's interest in contract for financial assistance that results in state acquiring title to housing property, redesignated existing Subsec. (f) as Subsec. (g) and amended Subsec. (g) by changing "shall adopt" to "may adopt regulations" and deleting "such regulations as may be necessary", effective July 1, 2002; P.A. 03-95 made technical changes to Subsecs. (a) to (e), inclusive, added new Subsec. (g) re Commissioner of Economic and Community Development's powers to acquire and dispose of property financed with a loan, grant or any combination thereof from the state upon the lawful dissolution of any eligible developer, and added new Subsec. (h) re exceptions from provisions of Subsec. (g), permitting the continued use of the Saint Joseph's Residence for Mothers and Children in Bridgeport, the House of Bread in Hartford, and the Rainbow Court Cooperative in Middletown, and relettered existing Subsec. (g) as Subsec. (i).

      See Sec. 4-8 re designation of deputy commissioner to exercise powers and duties of department head.

      Sec. 8-37y. Powers of Commissioner of Economic and Community Development re state real property transferred to the Department of Economic and Community Development and surplus real property made available by the federal government. (a) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development may, with the approval of the Commissioner of Public Works, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the State Properties Review Board, sell, exchange, lease or enter into agreements concerning any real property, as defined in section 8-39, belonging to the state and transferred to the custody and control of the Department of Economic and Community Development under the provisions of subsection (b) of section 4b-21. The commissioner shall require, as a condition of any sale, exchange, lease or agreement entered into pursuant to this section, that such real property be used only for an emergency shelter or transitional living facility for homeless persons or for the provision of low and moderate income housing, including, but not limited to, the construction, rehabilitation or renovation of housing for persons and families of low and moderate income, except that such condition, in the discretion of the commissioner, may be subordinated in the case of a subsequent first mortgage or a requirement of a governmental program relating to such real property, and except that in the case of an exchange of real property, the commissioner (1) shall require that the parcel received by the commissioner, as a condition of such exchange, shall be suitable for an emergency shelter or transitional living facility for homeless persons or for the construction, rehabilitation or renovation of housing for persons and families of low and moderate income and (2) shall release any restrictions required to be imposed by this subsection on the parcel transferred by the commissioner. Prior to any such sale, exchange, lease or agreement, the commissioner shall notify the chief executive officer or officers of the municipality or municipalities in which such real property is located. No such real property may be sold, exchanged or leased by the commissioner under this subsection without the approval of the municipality or municipalities in which the real property is located.

      (b) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, with the approval of the Commissioner of Public Works, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the State Properties Review Board, may: (1) Enter into a contract to purchase, lease or hold any surplus real property made available by the federal government, including excess real property acquired by the federal government for highway construction, if the commissioner determines that such real property can be utilized for the construction, rehabilitation or renovation of housing for persons and families of low and moderate income and (2) sell, exchange, lease or enter into agreements concerning any real property acquired by the commissioner under subdivision (1) of this subsection. The commissioner shall require, as a condition of any sale, exchange, lease or agreement entered into pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection, that such real property be used only for the construction, rehabilitation or renovation of housing for persons and families of low and moderate income. Prior to any such sale, exchange, lease or agreement, the commissioner shall notify the chief executive officer or officers of the municipality or municipalities in which such real property is located. No such real property may be sold, exchanged or leased by the commissioner under subdivision (2) of this subsection without the approval of the municipality or municipalities in which the real property is located.

      (c) The use of any real property under this section shall be subject to the planning, zoning, sanitary and building laws, ordinances and regulations applicable to the locality in which the real property is located.

      (d) As used in this section, "exchange" means the mutual transfer of interests in real property, simultaneously and each in consideration of the other.

      (P.A. 88-290, S. 2, 3; P.A. 90-205, S. 3; 90-238, S. 31, 32; P.A. 92-91, S. 1; 92-183, S. 1, 3; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6.)

      History: P.A. 90-205 added Subsec. (d) which defined the term "exchange" to mean "the mutual transfer of equal interests in land, ..." (Revisor's note: The term "real property" was substituted editorially by the Revisors for the term "land" for consistency with the changes made by public act 90-238 to Subsecs. (a) to (c), inclusive); P.A. 90-238 changed all references to land and interest therein to references to real property, as defined in Sec. 8-39; P.A. 92-91 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provisions requiring that in the exchange of real property, the property received by commissioner shall be suitable for specified purposes and that restrictions on property transferred by commissioner shall be released; P.A. 92-183 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provision re subordination of use condition in the case of a subsequent first mortgage or requirement of a governmental program and made technical changes; P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 replaced Commissioner and Department of Housing with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development.

      Sec. 8-37z. Duties of Commissioner of Economic and Community Development re involuntary displacement of residents of single-family or multifamily dwellings. Regulations. (a) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall ensure that the involuntary displacement of persons and families residing in any single-family or multifamily dwelling, which displacement occurs in connection with any housing or community development project or economic development project receiving state financial assistance under any program administered by the commissioner under the general statutes, is reduced to the minimum level consistent with achieving the objectives of such program. The commissioner shall require, as a condition of any contract for state financial assistance under the provisions of any such program, that the project for which such financial assistance is provided (1) will not cause the temporary or permanent displacement of persons and families residing in any single-family or multifamily dwelling or (2) will cause only the minimum level of such displacement which cannot be avoided due to the nature of the project. The commissioner shall ensure that all steps necessary to provide any relocation assistance available under chapter 135 to persons and families unavoidably displaced as a result of any state assisted housing or community development project or economic development project have been taken before granting final approval of any financial assistance for such project.

      (b) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to carry out the purposes of this section.

      (P.A. 89-125, S. 1, 2; P.A. 91-279, S. 1; P.A. 95-250, S. 16, 42; 95-309, S. 11, 12; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6.)

      History: P.A. 91-279 amended Subsec. (a) to apply provisions to economic development projects and amended Subsec. (b) to make technical change; P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 amended section by replacing Commissioners of Housing and Economic Development with the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development; P.A. 95-309 changed effective date of P.A. 95-250 but did not affect this section.

      Sec. 8-37aa. Income-grouped housing: Definitions. As used in sections 8-37bb to 8-37dd, inclusive, "housing agency" means the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority and the Connecticut Housing Authority, and "income group" means one of the following household groups, adjusted for family size and based on the appropriate area median income established by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development: (1) Households with incomes twenty-five per cent or less than the area median income; (2) households with incomes more than twenty-five per cent but not more than fifty per cent of the area median income; (3) households with incomes more than fifty per cent but not more than eighty per cent of the area median income; (4) households with incomes more than eighty per cent but not more than one hundred per cent of the area median income; and (5) households with incomes more than one hundred per cent of the area median income.

      (P.A. 90-257, S. 11, 17; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6.)

      History: P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 replaced Commissioner and Department of Housing with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development.

      Sec. 8-37bb. Annual report re fair housing choice and racial and economic integration. (a) On or before December 31, 1991, and annually thereafter, each housing agency, except the Department of Economic and Community Development, shall submit to the General Assembly a report, for the year ending the preceding September thirtieth, which analyzes by income group, households served by its housing construction, substantial rehabilitation, purchase and rental assistance programs. Each report submitted after December 31, 1991, shall analyze the households served under each program by race. The analysis shall provide information by housing development, if applicable, and by program. Each analysis shall include data for all households (1) entering an agency program during the year ending the preceding September thirtieth, and (2) in occupancy or receiving the benefits of an agency rental program the preceding September thirtieth. The report of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority shall also identify, by census tract, the number of households served in each program and the total amount of financial assistance provided to such households. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to preclude a housing agency from reporting additional information on programs it administers. Each report submitted under this section shall also analyze the efforts, and the results of such efforts, of each agency in promoting fair housing choice and racial and economic integration. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to require an occupant or applicant to disclose his race on an application or survey form.

      (b) Each report submitted under this section shall also document the efforts of the agency in promoting fair housing choice and racial and economic integration and shall include data on the racial composition of the occupants and persons on the waiting list of each housing project which is assisted under any housing program established by the general statutes or special act or which is supervised by the agency. The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to require disclosure of such information by any occupant or person on a waiting list.

      (c) On and after October 1, 1996, the report shall be submitted to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to housing and, upon request, to any member of the General Assembly. A summary of the report shall be submitted to each member of the General Assembly if the summary is two pages or less and a notification of the report shall be submitted to each member if the summary is more than two pages. Submission shall be by mailing the report, summary or notification to the legislative address of each member of the committee or the General Assembly, as applicable.

      (P.A. 90-257, S. 12, 17; P.A. 91-362, S. 1; P.A. 96-251, S. 4; P.A. 99-94, S. 4; P.A. 05-191, S. 4.)

      History: P.A. 91-362 designated existing section as Subsec. (a) and added provision requiring reports to analyze households served by race and the efforts of housing agencies in promoting fair housing choice and racial and economic integration and added new Subsec. (b) re documentation of efforts of agencies in promoting fair housing choice and racial and economic integration and re data on racial composition of occupants and persons on waiting lists of housing projects assisted by the agency; P.A. 96-251 added Subsec. (b) requiring that on and after October 1, 1996, the report be submitted to the housing committee and to any member of the General Assembly upon request and providing for submission of report summaries; P.A. 99-94 amended Subsec. (a) by exempting the Department of Economic and Community Development under certain circumstances from the reporting required by this section; P.A. 05-191 amended Subsec. (a) to exempt Department of Economic and Community Development from reporting requirement.

      Sec. 8-37cc. Housing agencies to serve households with incomes less than fifty per cent of area median income and to promote fair housing choice and racial and economic integration. (a) Each housing agency, as defined in section 8-37aa, shall, within available resources and to the extent practicable, serve households with incomes less than fifty per cent of the area median income, including households with incomes less than twenty-five per cent of the area median income. In administering its programs each housing agency shall attempt to serve households in the lower range of the income group for which the housing program was developed.

      (b) Each housing agency shall affirmatively promote fair housing choice and racial and economic integration in all programs administered or supervised by such housing agency.

      (P.A. 90-257, S. 13, 17; P.A. 91-362, S. 2.)

      History: P.A. 91-362 designated existing language as Subsec. (a) and added new Subsec. (b) establishing an affirmative duty for housing agencies to promote fair housing choice and racial and economic integration in their programs.

      Subsec. (b):

      Trial court properly determined that there is no private right of action pursuant to this subsec. Its purpose is made clear by legislature's placement of directive in an administrative chapter; that purpose is not consistent with an implied right of action, instead legislative directive is linked to strong reporting requirements that enable legislative and executive oversight for compliance. 277 C. 238.

      Sec. 8-37dd. Retention of housing assisted by housing agencies. Not more than six months after July 1, 1990, each housing agency shall adopt written policies concerning the extent to which housing assisted by such agency shall be retained on a long-term basis for members of the income group for which the housing was developed.

      (P.A. 90-257, S. 14, 17; P.A. 95-296, S. 3, 5; P.A. 97-156, S. 2, 3.)

      History: P.A. 95-296 added new Subsec. (b) re retention of housing in distressed municipalities developed or rehabilitated by community housing development corporations, effective July 6, 1995; P.A. 97-156 deleted Subsec. (b) re retention of housing developed or rehabilitated by community housing development corporations in distressed municipalities and removed Subsec. (a) designator, effective July 1, 1997.

      Sec. 8-37ee. Establishment of affirmative duty for entities participating in programs assisted or supervised by state housing agencies to promote fair housing. (a) Each entity participating in any program administered by a housing agency, as defined in section 8-37aa, under this title shall have an affirmative duty to promote fair housing in each housing development that is assisted or supervised under any provision of this title.

      (b) Any entity applying for financial assistance under any program administered by a housing agency established by this title shall submit an affirmative fair housing marketing plan to such housing agency for its approval. Such plan shall have provisions for recruitment of an applicant pool that includes residents of municipalities of relatively high concentrations of minority populations. The housing agency shall periodically review each plan to assure that to the extent practicable such an applicant pool is created and may require that a plan be revised by the entity submitting it.

      (P.A. 91-362, S. 3.)

      Sec. 8-37ff. Maintenance of comprehensive inventory of all assisted housing. Not later than July 1, 2006, the Department of Economic and Community Development shall develop and maintain a comprehensive inventory of all assisted housing, as defined in section 8-30g, in the state. The inventory shall identify all existing assisted rental units by type and funding source, and include, but not be limited to, information on tenant eligibility, rents charged, available subsidies, occupancy and vacancy rates, waiting lists and accessibility features. In order to assist the department in the completion of the inventory, all owners of such housing units, both public and private, shall report accessible housing units to the database established and maintained under section 8-119x.

      (P.A. 05-239, S. 3.)

      History: P.A. 05-239 effective July 1, 2005.

      Secs. 8-37gg to 8-37ii. Reserved for future use.

      Sec. 8-37jj. Electric resistance as primary source of heat. (a) The Department of Economic and Community Development may not approve electric resistance as the primary heat source in new, subsidized housing except where justified by a life-cycle cost analysis whose methodology has been approved by the division of the Office of Policy and Management responsible for energy matters.

      (b) If the Department of Economic and Community Development or the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority uses electric resistance space heating as the primary heating source in any new construction, it shall construct the unit in such a way as to be eligible for any available energy conservation incentives provided by the electric company, as defined in section 16-1, or the municipal utility furnishing electric service to such unit.

      (P.A. 90-219, S. 10; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6.)

      History: P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 replaced Commissioner and Department of Housing with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development.

      Sec. 8-37kk. Preference to loans for energy efficient projects. The Department of Economic and Community Development and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority shall give preference to loans for energy efficient projects in all grant and loan programs.

      (P.A. 90-219, S. 11; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6.)

      History: P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 replaced Commissioner and Department of Housing with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development.

      Sec. 8-37ll. Submission of residential antidisplacement and relocation assistance plan to the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development. Regulations. (a) No state financial assistance for any housing or community development project or economic development project shall be provided by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development under any program administered by the commissioner unless the commissioner has first approved a residential antidisplacement and relocation assistance plan submitted under subsection (b) of this section by the applicant seeking such financial assistance. The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall ensure that any such plan is properly implemented for each project for which a plan is submitted.

      (b) Any applicant seeking state financial assistance for any housing or community development project or economic development project under any program administered by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall submit a residential antidisplacement and relocation assistance plan to the commissioner as part of the application for such financial assistance. The plan shall demonstrate that the project for which financial assistance is applied for will not cause the temporary or permanent displacement of persons and families residing in any single-family or multifamily residential dwelling or, if such displacement will result, that such project will cause no more displacement than is necessary to accomplish the project. If occupiable dwelling units are destroyed as a result of the project or displacement of low and moderate income households will result from the project, the plan shall further demonstrate that: (1) The applicant shall provide comparable replacement dwellings within the same municipality for the same number of occupants as could have been housed in the occupied and vacant occupiable residential dwellings that will be demolished or converted to a use other than housing for low and moderate income persons and families as a result of the project; (2) such replacement dwellings shall be designed to remain affordable to low and moderate income persons and families for ten years; (3) relocation assistance benefits shall be provided pursuant to chapter 135 for all persons displaced as a result of the project; and (4) displaced persons, to the extent practicable, who wish to remain in the same neighborhood shall be relocated within such neighborhood. As used in this subsection, "low and moderate income persons and families" means persons, families or households whose annual income is less than or equal to eighty per cent of the area median income for the area of the state in which they live, as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. An applicant shall be deemed to have met the replacement requirements of this section by rehabilitation of vacant, unoccupiable units.

      (c) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development may exempt an applicant from the provisions of this section upon determination that:

      (1) Based on objective data, there is available in the area an adequate supply of habitable affordable housing for the full range of low and moderate income persons, or

      (2) The project will dedicate at least as much total floor space to housing for low and moderate income persons and families as was contained in all the dwelling units being replaced, whether occupied or vacant, and either (A) the project will not permanently displace any person or family or (B) all of the following: (i) The sizes and purposes of the dwelling units in the project are at least as needed as the sizes and purposes of the dwelling units to be replaced; (ii) the number of very low income persons to be served in the project is not less than the number of very low income persons served by the structure to be replaced, and (iii) the persons and families to be displaced by the project will be relocated to permanent housing and will receive relocation assistance pursuant to chapter 135. As used in this subsection, "very low income persons" means persons whose annual income is less than or equal to fifty per cent of the area median income for the area of the state in which they live, as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

      (d) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to carry out the purposes of this section. Such regulations shall define the objective data used under subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this section to determine whether there is an adequate supply of habitable affordable housing for the full range of low and moderate income persons and families residing in the area.

      (P.A. 91-279, S. 2; P.A. 92-183, S. 2, 3; P.A. 95-250, S. 17, 42; 95-309, S. 11, 12; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6.)

      History: P.A. 92-183 amended Subsec. (c) by organizing Subsec. into Subdivs. and adding new Subdiv. (2) re criteria for exemption and amended Subsec. (d) re regulations defining objective data; P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 amended section to replace Commissioners of Housing and Economic Development with the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development; P.A. 95-309 changed effective date of P.A. 95-250 but did not affect this section.

      Secs. 8-37mm to 8-37oo. Reserved for future use.

      Sec. 8-37pp. Affordable housing. State assistance authorized. Terms and conditions. Regulations. (a) For purposes of this section:

      (1) "Affordable housing" means affordable housing, as defined in section 8-39a;

      (2) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development;

      (3) "Department" means the Department of Economic and Community Development;

      (4) "Eligible applicant" means: (A) A nonprofit entity; (B) a municipality; (C) a housing authority; (D) a business corporation incorporated pursuant to chapter 601 or any predecessor statutes thereto or authorized to do business pursuant to said chapter 601 having as one of its purposes the construction, financing, acquisition, rehabilitation or operation of affordable housing, and having a certificate or articles of incorporation approved by the commissioner; (E) any partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust or association having as one of its purposes the construction, financing, acquisition, rehabilitation or operation of affordable housing, and having basic documents of organization approved by the commissioner; or (F) any combination thereof;

      (5) "Eligible costs" means costs relating to the planning, implementation and completion of an eligible project; and

      (6) "Eligible project" means a project designed for the purpose of providing affordable housing, and shall include, but not be limited to, (A) acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, repair and maintenance of residential or mixed use structures, (B) acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, repair and maintenance of related infrastructure, facilities and amenities incidental and pertinent to the provision of affordable housing and intended primarily to serve the residents of the affordable housing project, that may include, but not be limited to, a community room, laundry, day care space, computer center, management office or playground, or (C) demolition, renovation or redevelopment of vacant buildings or related infrastructure.

      (b) The state, acting by and in the discretion of the commissioner, may enter into a contract for state financial assistance for any eligible project in the form determined by the commissioner, including, but not limited to, a grant, loan, loan guarantee, deferred loan or any combination thereof.

      (c) An application for financial assistance shall be in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner. In determining whether and to what extent to fund an application received from eligible applicants, the commissioner may consider relevant factors including, but not limited to, the following: (A) The ability of the project to affirmatively further racial and economic integration, including expanding multifamily rental housing opportunities in suburban and rural communities; (B) the ability of the project to meet the housing needs of the lowest income populations; (C) the ability of the project to revitalize urban neighborhoods, including expanding homeownership and increasing multifamily rehabilitation in the central cities; (D) the ability of the project to provide a full range of supportive housing options for people with special needs or who are at risk of becoming homeless; (E) impact of the project on the local neighborhood, region and the state; (F) short-term and long-term benefits of the project; (G) impact on affordable housing needs of the neighborhood, community, municipality and region; (H) project feasibility; (I) potential for leveraging other public and private investments; (J) applicant's ability to implement the project in a timely manner; (K) the relative need for the project; (L) the applicant's financial commitment to the project, except in the case of a nonprofit entity or a housing authority created pursuant to section 8-40; and (M) the extent to which the project will advance the public purposes set forth in this subdivision.

      (d) The commissioner shall review and approve the site and the estimated total development budget, including the nature and amount of financial assistance to be provided from all sources and by the state. The commissioner may review and approve any additional factors determined to be necessary or appropriate to protect the state's interests. Upon determination by the commissioner that the eligible costs are necessary and reasonable, and, in the case of financial assistance provided from the proceeds of the state's bonds upon preliminary approval by the State Bond Commission pursuant to the provisions of section 3-20 or, in the case of financial assistance provided from a funding source other than the state's bonds upon the approval by the Governor of an allotment for such purpose, the state, acting by and through the commissioner, may provide the financial assistance for such eligible costs.

      (e) Financial assistance provided shall be upon terms and conditions not inconsistent with the provisions of this section which the commissioner shall establish as prudent and necessary to protect the state's interests. Such terms and conditions may include, separately or in combination, without limitation: (1) The requirements of funds from other sources, including, without limitation, financing obtained from quasi-public agencies, as defined in section 1-120, federal and local government agencies and private for-profit and not-for-profit institutions; (2) participation interests; (3) subsidy recapture provisions; and (4) resale and prepayment, job retention, residency, use and affordability restrictions. Such terms and conditions and compliance with such terms and conditions may be documented and secured as the commissioner shall determine.

      (f) (1) The commissioner may take all reasonable steps and exercise all available remedies necessary or desirable to protect the obligations or interests of the state, including, but not limited to, amending any term or condition of a contract or agreement, provided such amendment is allowed or agreed to pursuant to such contract or agreement, or purchasing or redeeming, pursuant to foreclosure proceedings, bankruptcy proceedings or in other judicial proceedings, any property on which such commissioner or the department holds a mortgage or other lien, or in which such commissioner or the department has an interest.

      (2) The commissioner may request, inspect and audit reports, books and records and any other financial or project-related information with respect to eligible applicants that receive financial assistance, including, without limitation, resident or employment information, financial and operating statements and audits. The commissioner may investigate the accuracy and completeness of such reports, books and records.

      (3) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the commissioner is authorized, for purposes of the program established under this section, to assess and collect application fees of no more than two hundred fifty dollars to recover all or part of the costs or expenses incurred by the state in reviewing applications for financial assistance.

      (g) The commissioner may adopt such regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, as are necessary for the implementation of this section.

      (June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-7, S. 21, 28; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6, S. 52.)

      History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 01-7 effective July 1, 2001; June 30 Sp. Sess. P.A. 03-6 amended Subsec. (a)(4) to include a business entity that has as one of its purposes the financing of affordable housing in the definition of "eligible applicant".

      Sec. 8-37qq. Uses of funds for bond-financed state housing programs. Housing Assistance Bond Fund. Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund. (a) For the purposes of this section and sections 8-44a, 8-70, 8-78, 8-80, 8-114a, 8-117b, 8-119a, 8-119b, 8-119h, 8-119i, 8-119ee, 8-119hh, 8-119ii, 8-119jj, 8-169w, 8-214g, 8-216b, 8-218b, 8-219b, 8-387, 8-405, 8-410, 8-415, 8-420, 16a-40b and 16a-40j, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

      (1) "Bond-financed state housing program" means any program administered by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development which provides financial assistance for housing acquisition, development, rehabilitation or support services, and which may be financed in whole or in part from the proceeds of the state's general obligation bonds, including: Acquisition of surplus land pursuant to section 8-37y, affordable housing projects pursuant to section 8-37pp, housing authority programs for social and supplementary services, project rehabilitation and improvement and energy conservation pursuant to section 8-44a, moderate rental housing pursuant to section 8-70, moderate cost housing pursuant to section 8-82, housing for elderly persons pursuant to section 8-114a, congregate housing for the elderly pursuant to section 8-119h, housing for low-income persons pursuant to section 8-119dd, financial assistance for redevelopment or urban renewal projects pursuant to section 8-154a, housing and community development pursuant to sections 8-169l and 8-216b, urban homesteading pursuant to subsection (a) of section 8-169w, community housing land bank and land trust program pursuant to section 8-214d, financial assistance for development of limited equity cooperatives and mutual housing pursuant to section 8-214f, community housing development corporations pursuant to sections 8-218 and 8-218a, financial assistance to elderly homeowners for emergency repairs or rehabilitation pursuant to section 8-219b, financial assistance for removal of lead-based paint and asbestos pursuant to section 8-219e, home ownership loans pursuant to subsection (a) of section 8-286, housing programs for homeless persons pursuant to sections 8-356 and 8-357, grants to municipalities for financing low and moderate income rental housing pursuant to section 8-365, housing infrastructure grants and loans pursuant to section 8-387, private rental investment mortgage and equity program pursuant to sections 8-401 and 8-403, assistance for housing predevelopment costs pursuant to sections 8-410 and 8-411, residential subsurface sewage disposal system repair program pursuant to sections 8-415 and 8-420, energy conservation loans pursuant to section 16a-40b, rent receivership pursuant to section 47a-56j, and any other such program now, heretofore or hereafter existing, and any additions or amendments to such programs.

      (2) "Administrative expense" means any administrative or other cost or expense incurred by the state in carrying out the provisions of any of the following bond-financed state housing programs, including the hiring of necessary employees and the entering of necessary contracts: Housing authority programs for social and supplementary services, project rehabilitation and improvement, and energy conservation pursuant to section 8-44a, moderate rental housing pursuant to section 8-70, moderate cost housing pursuant to section 8-82, housing for elderly persons pursuant to section 8-114a, congregate housing for the elderly pursuant to section 8-119h, housing for low-income persons pursuant to section 8-119dd, urban homesteading pursuant to subsection (a) of section 8-169w, financial assistance for development of limited equity cooperatives and mutual housing pursuant to section 8-214f, financial assistance to elderly homeowners for emergency repairs or rehabilitation pursuant to section 8-219b, home ownership loans pursuant to subsection (a) of section 8-286, housing programs for homeless persons pursuant to sections 8-356 and 8-357, private rental investment mortgage and equity program pursuant to sections 8-401 and 8-403, assistance for housing predevelopment costs pursuant to sections 8-410 and 8-411, residential subsurface sewage disposal system repair pursuant to section 8-415 and section 8-420, and energy conservation loans pursuant to section 16a-40b.

      (3) "State service fee" means any fee or charge assessed or collected by the state for the purpose of paying for any administrative expense, pursuant to subsections (f) and (g) of section 8-44a with respect to housing authority programs for social and supplementary services, project rehabilitation and improvement, and energy conservation, subsection (c) of section 8-70 and section 8-72 with respect to moderate rental housing, subsection (b) of section 8-114a and subsection (a) of section 8-115a with respect to housing for elderly persons, section 8-119h and subsection (a) of section 8-115a with respect to congregate housing for the elderly, section 8-119jj and section 8-72 with respect to housing for low-income persons, subsection (c) of section 8-218b with respect to community housing development corporations, subsection (b) of section 8-219b with respect to financial assistance to elderly homeowners for emergency repairs and rehabilitation, and subsection (a) of section 8-405 with respect to the private rental mortgage and equity program.

      (b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any public or special act to the contrary, any administrative expense may be paid from the proceeds from the sale of the state's general obligation bonds for the bond-financed state housing program for which the administrative expense is incurred, to the extent approved by the State Bond Commission and allotted by the Governor for such purpose.

      (c) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any public or special act to the contrary, no service fee shall be assessed or collected out of financial assistance financed with the proceeds of the state's general obligation bonds initially authorized, allocated or approved by the State Bond Commission on or after July 1, 1990.

      (d) (1) There is established a fund to be known as the "Housing Assistance Bond Fund". The fund shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the fund.

      (2) (A) The proceeds from the sale of bonds and any bond anticipation notes issued for any bond-financed state housing program shall be deposited in the Housing Assistance Bond Fund, except for: (i) The proceeds of bonds and bond anticipation notes initially authorized, allocated or approved by the State Bond Commission for the purpose of any bond-financed state housing program prior to July 1, 1990, and any reuse thereof approved by the commission; and (ii) any refunding bonds and bonds issued to refund bond anticipation notes.

      (B) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any public or special act to the contrary, on or after July 1, 1990, the State Bond Commission shall not authorize, allocate or approve the issuance of bonds not previously authorized, allocated or approved by the commission for the purpose of any bond-financed state housing program pursuant to any general statute or public or special act enacted prior to 1990, except pursuant to sections 4-66c and 47a-56k or special act 87-77 or 89-52 as either may be amended from time to time. Nothing in this section shall impair the power of the commission to authorize the reuse of the proceeds of bonds authorized, allocated or approved by the commission prior to July 1, 1990.

      (C) The proceeds of bonds and bond anticipation notes deposited in the Housing Assistance Bond Fund shall be applied to pay the costs of financial assistance and administrative expense for bond-financed state housing programs as authorized by the State Bond Commission in accordance with section 3-20 and the act or acts pursuant to which such bonds and bond anticipation notes were issued.

      (e) (1) There is established a fund to be known as the "Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund". The fund shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the fund and shall be held separate and apart from all other money, funds and accounts. Investment earnings credited to the fund shall become part of the assets of the fund. Any required rebates to the federal government of such investment earnings shall be paid from the fund. Any balance remaining in said fund at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried forward in the fund for the next fiscal year.

      (2) (A) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any public or special act to the contrary, except sections 8-76 and 8-80, the following shall be paid to the State Treasurer for deposit in the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund: (i) All payments to the state of principal or interest on loans that the ultimate recipient is obligated to repay to the state, with or without interest, made pursuant to section 8-114a with respect to loans for housing for elderly persons, section 8-119h with respect to loans for congregate housing for the elderly, subsection (a) of section 8-169w with respect to urban homesteading loans, sections 8-218 and 8-218a with respect to community housing development corporation loans, section 8-337 with respect to security deposit revolving loans, section 8-410 with respect to housing predevelopment cost loans, section 8-415 and section 8-420 with respect to subsurface sewage disposal system repair loans, and section 8-37pp with respect to loans for affordable housing; (ii) all payments of principal with respect to energy conservation loans pursuant to section 16a-40b; (iii) all payments made to the state constituting the liquidation of an equity interest pursuant to section 8-404 with respect to the private rental investment mortgage and equity program; (iv) all payments made to the state constituting the liquidation of any other security interest or lien taken or granted pursuant to a bond-financed state housing program or assistance or related agreement, except liquidations constituting principal or interest on loans not mentioned in subparagraph (A)(i) or (A)(ii) of this subdivision and the liquidation of security interests or liens with respect to rent receivership pursuant to subsection (c) of section 47a-56i; (v) all other return or recapture of state financial assistance made pursuant to the provisions of any bond-financed state housing program or assistance or related agreement, except principal or interest on loans not mentioned in subparagraph (A)(i) or (A)(ii) of this subdivision and payments received with respect to rent receivership pursuant to subsection (c) of section 47a-56i; (vi) all payments of state service fees and administrative oversight charges rendered in accordance with the provisions of any bond-financed state housing program other than state service fees financed from the proceeds of the state's general obligation bonds; and (vii) all other compensation or reimbursement paid to the Department of Economic and Community Development with respect to bond-financed state housing programs other than from the federal government.

      (B) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any public or special act to the contrary, except as provided in this subsection, loans for any bond-financed state housing program which the ultimate recipient is obligated to repay to the state, with or without interest, may be paid out of moneys deposited in the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund without the prior approval of the State Bond Commission, subject to the approval of the Governor of an allotment. All payments on energy conservation loans pursuant to said section 16a-40b shall be accounted for separately from other moneys in the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund, and shall be used to make further loans pursuant to said section 16a-40b and to pay any administrative expense attributable to such loans.

      (C) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any public or special act, payment of any administrative expense may be made out of the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund subject to the approval of the Governor of an allotment for such purpose.

      (P.A. 90-238, S. 1, 32; P.A. 91-346, S. 1, 9; P.A. 93-309, S. 10, 11, 29; P.A. 94-95, S. 24; P.A. 95-250, S. 1, 22, 42; 95-309, S. 11, 12; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6; P.A. 02-89, S. 11; P.A. 06-93, S. 2, 3.)

      History: P.A. 91-346 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting reference to Sec. 8-338 and adding reference to Secs. 8-415 and 8-420, redefined "bond-financed program" and "administrative expense" to add reference to Sec. 8-420 and to delete reference to security deposit revolving loans pursuant to Sec. 8-337 and amended Subsec. (e)(2) to add reference to Secs. 8-415 and 8-420; P.A. 93-309 amended Subsec. (a) by adding reference to Secs. 8-430 to 8-438, inclusive, and specific reference to construction, acquisition and related rehabilitation pursuant to Sec. 8-433 and amended Subsec. (e) to add reference to loans for construction, acquisition and related rehabilitation under Sec. 8-433, to participation interests pursuant to Sec. 8-436 and to administrative oversight charges defined in Sec. 8-430, effective July 1, 1993 (Revisor's note: In Subsec. (a)(1) the word "pursuant" was inserted editorially by the Revisors in the phrase "pursuant to section 8-433"); P.A. 94-95 amended Subsec. (d) eliminating requirement that the fund be kept separate and apart from all other moneys, funds and accounts; P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 replaced Commissioner and Department of Housing with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development and amended Subsec. (e)(2)(B) to replace specific list of eligible loans that may be paid from Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund with reference to any bond-financed state housing program; P.A. 95-309 changed effective date of P.A. 95-250 but did not affect this section; P.A. 02-89 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting in Subdivs. (1) and (2) references to "flood relief housing pursuant to section 8-97", reflecting the repeal of Sec. 8-97 by the same public act; P.A. 06-93 amended Subsec. (a) by including affordable housing projects in Subdiv. (1) and removing references to repealed sections and amended Subsec. (e)(2) by requiring payments made pursuant to Sec. 8-37pp to be paid into fund, deleting references to repealed sections and making technical changes.

      Sec. 8-37rr. Definitions. As used in this section, sections 3-21b and 8-37ss and subsection (e) of section 8-80:

      (1) "Administrative expense" means any administrative or other cost or expense as defined in section 8-37qq.

      (2) "Bond-financed state housing program" means any program as defined in section 8-37qq.

      (3) "Calculation date" means the date determined by the commissioner, Treasurer, Comptroller and Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management for making the calculations described in subsection (a) of section 8-37ss which shall not be later than May 31, 1996.

      (4) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development.

      (5) "Consolidation date" means the date determined by the commissioner, Treasurer, Comptroller and Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management for the implementation of the plan of consolidation described in subsection (b) of section 8-37ss and for the transfer of reserved amounts to the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund described in subsection (c) of section 8-37ss which shall be on or after the date approved by the State Bond Commission of such plan of consolidation and which shall not be later than June 30, 1996.

      (6) "Consolidated amounts" means any reserved amounts transferred to the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund pursuant to subsection (c) of section 8-37ss and any moneys subsequently deposited in the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund pursuant to section 3-21b, this section and section 8-37ss and subsection (e) of section 8-80 in lieu of being deposited in a prior bond fund.

      (7) "Housing Assistance Bond Fund" means the Housing Assistance Bond Fund established pursuant to section 8-37qq.

      (8) "Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund" means the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund established pursuant to section 8-37qq.

      (9) "Net available balance" means the unexpended balance in any prior bond fund or the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund, as determined by the commissioner, Treasurer, Comptroller and Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, less reserved amounts.

      (10) "Net available balance deficit" means a net available balance in any prior bond fund that is negative.

      (11) "Net available balance surplus" means a net available balance in any prior bond fund that is positive.

      (12) "Prior bond fund" means any fund of the state created or administered to account for revenues and expenses in connection with one or more bond-financed state housing programs, but does not include the Housing Assistance Bond Fund, the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund or the Rental Housing Fund established pursuant to section 8-80.

      (13) "Reserved amounts" means: (A) In the case of a prior bond fund (i) the amount determined by the commissioner and Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to be held in reserve to pay expenditures previously approved by the State Bond Commission, plus (ii) any amounts of net available balance surpluses in prior bond funds not used to pay for net available balance deficits in prior bond funds because of a determination by the Treasurer that such use could adversely affect the tax-exempt status of any of the state's bonds; and (B) in the case of the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund (i) the amount determined by the commissioner and Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to be held in reserve for the payment of administrative expense anticipated during the period between the calculation date and July 1, 1997, plus (ii) after the consolidation date, consolidated amounts that would have been reserved amounts if held in a prior bond fund, as determined by the commissioner and Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management.

      (P.A. 94-173, S. 1, 5; P.A. 95-250, S. 7, 42; 95-309, S. 11, 12; P.A. 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6.)

      History: P.A. 94-173 effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 redefined "commissioner" by substituting Commissioner of Economic and Community Development for Commissioner of Housing, amended Subdivs. (3) and (5) to revise the latest calculation and consolidation date from 1995 to 1996; P.A. 95-309 changed effective date of P.A. 95-250 but did not affect this section.

      Sec. 8-37ss. Housing funds consolidation. Procedures. (a) As of the consolidation date, the commissioner shall: (1) Calculate the net available balance of each prior bond fund and the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund; and (2) calculate the total of all net available balance deficits and the total of all net available balance surpluses for all prior bond funds.

      (b) On or after the calculation date the commissioner shall file with the State Bond Commission and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of all matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding a plan for consolidation of all prior bond funds. Such plan shall request the State Bond Commission to approve: (1) The use of the total of all net available balance surpluses to pay for the total of all net available balance deficits, except to the extent the Treasurer determines that any such use could adversely affect the exclusion from gross income of the interest on any of the state's bonds; (2) the application of the net available balance of the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund to pay for net available balance deficits in prior bond funds not paid for from net available balance surpluses in prior bond funds; and (3) allocations and bond authorizations of the State Bond Commission, in accordance with section 3-20 to pay for any net available balance deficits in prior bond funds not paid for either from net available balance surpluses in prior bond funds or from the net available balance of the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund. Such plan shall also set forth the total of all reserved amounts to be transferred to the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. The State Bond Commission may approve such plan notwithstanding restrictions as to the use of moneys in any prior bond fund or the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund imposed by any provision of the general statutes or any public or special act.

      (c) On the consolidation date, the commissioner shall: (1) Implement the plan for consolidation described in subsection (b) of this section, applying net available balance surpluses, if any, moneys from the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund, if any, and the proceeds of allocations and bond authorizations, if any, as called for in such plan to pay for all net available balance deficits in all prior bond funds; and (2) transfer all reserved amounts to the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund, and upon such transfer, all prior bond funds shall be terminated. The commissioner shall establish such subaccounts, if any, within the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund as are determined by the commissioner, Treasurer, and Comptroller and Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to be necessary to preserve the exclusion from gross income of interest on any of the state's bonds or to serve the administrative convenience of the state.

      (d) Following the consolidation date, notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any public or special act or action of the State Bond Commission prior to the consolidation date, all expenditures previously approved for payment from a prior bond fund shall be paid from consolidated amounts in the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund and all revenues, payments and reimbursements that would otherwise have been deposited in a prior bond fund shall be added to the consolidated amounts in the Housing Repayment and Revolving Loan Fund.

      (e) Following the consolidation date, the commissioner and secretary of the State Bond Commission shall maintain a record of consolidated amounts and reserved amounts. Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any public or special act, the commissioner may request and the State Bond Commission may approve the reuse of any consolidated amounts that are not reserved amounts for any bond-financed state housing program, including administrative expense.

      (P.A. 94-173, S. 2, 5.)

      History: P.A. 94-173 effective July 1, 1994.

      Sec. 8-37tt. Administrative oversight charges. (a) As used in this section, "administrative oversight charge" means any fee payable to the Department of Economic and Community Development from sources other than (1) the proceeds from the sale of the state's general obligation bonds, or (2) the housing repayment and revolving loan program established pursuant to subsection (e) of section 8-37qq, that is imposed to pay all or a portion of the costs and expenses of the Department of Economic and Community Development in monitoring facilities developed with financial assistance pursuant to any bond-financed state housing program as defined in subsection (a) of section 8-37qq, and ensuring compliance with requirements and restrictions applicable to such facilities.

      (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or any regulations adopted thereunder, the amount of the administrative oversight charge per unit shall be as follows: (1) For the period from July 1, 1997, to June 30, 1998, not more than twelve dollars, and (2) on and after July 1, 1998, not more than five dollars.

      (P.A. 94-156, S. 1, 5; P.A. 95-250, S. 1; P.A. 96-189, S. 1, 3; 96-211, S. 1, 5, 6; P.A. 98-154, S. 1, 2; P.A. 06-93, S. 1.)

      History: P.A. 94-156 effective July 1, 1994; P.A. 95-250 and P.A. 96-211 replaced Commissioner and Department of Housing with Commissioner and Department of Economic and Community Development; P.A. 96-189 added Subsec. (c) specifying amount of charge per unit, effective July 1, 1996; P.A. 98-154 amended Subsec. (c) to delete maximum $7 charge for period from July 1, 1998, to June 30, 1999, to delete provision requiring no charge on and after July 1, 1999, and to add provision establishing, on and after July 1, 1998, maximum $5 charge, effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 06-93 made technical changes in Subsec. (a), deleted former Subsec. (b) re adoption of regulations and redesignated existing Subsec. (c) as new Subsec. (b).

      Sec. 8-37uu. Transfer of housing loan portfolio to Connecticut Housing Finance Authority. Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the Department of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the Office of Policy and Management and the State Treasurer, shall arrange for the transfer of the housing loan portfolio of said department or any portion thereof, to said authority.

      (May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-5, S. 16.)

      History: May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-5 effective July 1, 2002.

      Sec. 8-37vv. Rental Housing Revolving Loan Fund. Regulations. (a) As used in this section, (1) "eligible building" means a structure located in a distressed municipality, as defined in section 32-9p, that contains not more than twenty residential units, and may contain an owner-occupied unit, and (2) "eligible costs" means costs incurred to make renovations and repairs to bring an eligible building into compliance with the State Building Code or state or municipal health or safety codes, or otherwise to make an eligible building suitable for rental to tenants.

      (b) There is established a revolving loan fund to be known as the "Rental Housing Revolving Loan Fund". The fund may be funded from moneys allocated to the program established by section 8-37pp or from any moneys available to the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development or the fund from other sources. Investment earnings credited to the fund shall become part of the assets of the fund. Any balance remaining in the fund at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried forward in the fund for the next fiscal year. Payments of principal or interest on a low interest loan made pursuant to this section shall be paid to the State Treasurer for deposit in the Rental Housing Revolving Loan Fund. The fund shall be used to make low interest loans pursuant to subsection (c) of this section and to pay reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in administering loans under this section. The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development may enter into contracts with nonprofit corporations to provide for the administration of the Rental Housing Revolving Loan Fund by such nonprofit corporations, provided no low interest loan shall be made from the fund without the authorization of the commissioner as provided in subsection (c) of this section.

      (c) The state, acting by and in the discretion of the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, may enter into contracts to provide financial assistance in the form of low interest loans to owners of eligible buildings for eligible costs. The commissioner may require owners of eligible buildings who apply for a low interest loan pursuant to this section to submit a copy of the report filed by the building inspector listing code violations, and an estimate of the cost of repairs to correct such violations. The commissioner may establish priorities for the low cost loans provided pursuant to this program, including, but not limited to, types of repairs financed, the location of the eligible building, ability of owners to repay such loans, and the extent to which any repairs will extend the useful life of the eligible building.

      (d) The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to specify application procedures and priorities for providing low cost loans pursuant to this section.

      (May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-5, S. 17.)

      History: May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-5 effective July 1, 2002.

      Sec. 8-37ww. Demonstration program for energy-efficient and environmentally safe housing. (a) As used in this section, "eligible building" means a two to six-family building that was built prior to 1950 and has wooden windows, and "commissioner" means the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development.

      (b) The commissioner may establish a demonstration program in one or more municipalities to promote energy efficiency and environmentally safe housing by providing matching grants to owners of eligible buildings to repair or replace wooden windows in such buildings. Such demonstration program may be funded from moneys allocated to the program established by section 8-37pp or from any moneys available to the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development from other sources. Of the first three municipalities in which such demonstration program is established, at least two shall have a population of one hundred thousand or more and at least one shall have a population of less than one hundred thousand. No such grant shall exceed one hundred dollars for each window to be repaired or replaced. The commissioner may contract with one or more entities to operate the program.

      (c) The demonstration program shall end on June 30, 2008. On or before February 1, 2008, the commissioner shall report to the select committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to housing as to the number of eligible buildings for which assistance was provided, the costs involved, the effectiveness of the demonstration program and the commissioner's recommendation as to whether the demonstration program should be expanded and made permanent.

      (May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-5, S. 18; P.A. 05-132, S. 1; P.A. 06-93, S. 21.)

      History: May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-5 effective July 1, 2002; P.A. 05-132 amended Subsec. (c) by extending the program's termination from June 30, 2005, to June 30, 2008, and changing the due date for the report on the program from February 1, 2005, to February 1, 2008, effective June 24, 2005; P.A. 06-93 deleted former Subsec. (d) re adoption of regulations, effective May 30, 2006.

      Sec. 8-37xx. State-assisted housing sustainability: Definitions. As used in sections 8-37yy to 8-37aaa, inclusive:

      (1) "Eligible housing" means the housing that is in the housing loan portfolio that was transferred from the Department of Economic and Community Development to the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority pursuant to section 8-37uu;

      (2) "Financial assistance" means grants, loans, deferred loans, no interest and low interest loans, loan guarantees, interest subsidies and similar financings; and

      (3) "Fund" means the State-Assisted Housing Sustainability Fund established pursuant to section 8-37yy.

      (June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-4, S. 103; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-5, S. 1.)

      History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-4 effective July 1, 2007; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-5 substituted "Finance Authority" for "Finance Department" in Subdiv. (1) and made a technical change, effective October 6, 2007.

      Sec. 8-37yy. State-Assisted Housing Sustainability Fund. Financial assistance for preservation of eligible housing. Regulations. (a) The Department of Economic and Community Development shall, in consultation with the State-Assisted Housing Sustainability Advisory Committee, established pursuant to section 8-37zz, establish and maintain the State-Assisted Housing Sustainability Fund for the purpose of the preservation of eligible housing. The moneys of the fund shall be available to the department to provide financial assistance to the owners of eligible housing for the maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and modernization of eligible housing and for other activities consistent with preservation of eligible housing, including, but not limited to, (1) emergency repairs to abate actual or imminent emergency conditions that would result in the loss of habitable housing units, (2) major system repairs or upgrades, including, but not limited to, repairs or upgrades to roofs, windows, mechanical systems and security, (3) reduction of vacant units, (4) remediation or abatement of hazardous materials, including lead, (5) increases in development mobility and sensory impaired accessibility in units, common areas and accessible routes, (6) relocation costs and alternative housing for not more than sixty days, necessary because of the failure of a major building system, and (7) a comprehensive physical needs assessment. Financial assistance shall be awarded to applicants consistent with standards and criteria adopted in consultation with the recommendations of the State-Assisted Housing Sustainability Advisory Committee.

      (b) In each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 2008, and June 30, 2009, the department may expend not more than seven hundred fifty thousand dollars from the fund for reasonable administrative costs related to the operation of the fund, including the expenses of the State-Assisted Housing Sustainability Advisory Committee, the development of analytic tools and research concerning the capital and operating needs of eligible housing for the purpose of advising the General Assembly on policy regarding eligible housing and the study required by section 107 of public act 07-4 of the June special session*. Thereafter, the department shall prepare an administrative budget which shall be effective upon the approval of said committee.

      (c) (1) The department shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section and sections 8-37xx, 8-37zz and 8-37aaa. Such regulations shall establish (A) guidelines for grants and loans, and (B) a process for certifying an emergency condition in not more than forty-eight hours and for committing emergency funds, including costs of resident relocation, if necessary, not more than five business days after application by the owner of eligible housing for emergency repair financial assistance. The guidelines under subparagraph (A) of this subdivision shall provide for deferred payment of principal and interest upon approval of the committee.

      (2) The department shall adopt written policies and procedures to implement such provisions while in the process of adopting such policies and procedures in regulation form, and the commissioner shall print a notice of intention to adopt the regulations in the Connecticut Law Journal not later than twenty days prior to implementing such policies and procedures. The department shall submit final regulations to implement said sections to the legislative regulation review committee not later than October 1, 2009. Policies and procedures implemented pursuant to this subdivision shall be valid until the time final regulations are effective.

      (d) In reviewing applications and providing financial assistance under this section, the department, in consultation with the State-Assisted Housing Sustainability Advisory Committee, shall consider the long term viability of the eligible housing and the likelihood that financial assistance will assure such long term viability. As used in this section, "viability" includes, but is not limited to, continuous habitability and adequate operating cash flow to maintain the existing physical plant and any capital improvements and to provide basic services required under the lease and otherwise required by local codes and ordinances.

      (e) On or before February 1, 2009, and annually thereafter, the department, in consultation with the State-Assisted Housing Sustainability Advisory Committee, shall submit a report on the operation of the fund, for the previous calendar year, to the General Assembly, in accordance with section 11-4a. The report shall include an analysis of the distribution of funds and an evaluation of the performance of said fund and may include recommendations for modification to the program.

      (June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-4, S. 104; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-5, S. 2.)

      *Note: Section 107 of public act 07-4 of the June special session is special in nature and therefore has not been codified but remains in full force and effect according to its terms.

      History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-4 effective June 29, 2007; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-5 amended Subsec. (c) to insert Subdiv. (1) designator, substitute regulations to implement section and Secs. 8-37xx, 8-37zz and 8-37aaa for procedures to implement section, and insert Subdiv. (2) to require written policies and procedures while in the process of adopting regulations, effective October 6, 2007.

      Sec. 8-37zz. State-Assisted Housing Sustainability Advisory Committee. (a) There is established a State-Assisted Housing Sustainability Advisory Committee. The committee shall consist of the following members:

      (1) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, who may be a member of the General Assembly;

      (2) One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who may be a member of the General Assembly;

      (3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall represent a housing authority with one hundred or more but less than two hundred fifty units of eligible housing and be appointed from a list submitted by the Connecticut Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials;

      (4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who shall represent a housing authority with fewer than one hundred units of eligible housing and be appointed from a list submitted by the Connecticut Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials;

      (5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall represent a housing authority with two hundred fifty or more units of eligible housing and be appointed from a list submitted by the Connecticut Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials;

      (6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, who shall represent a housing authority with fewer than one hundred units of eligible housing and be appointed from a list submitted by the Connecticut Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials;

      (7) Four appointed by the Governor;

      (8) The State Treasurer, or the Treasurer's designee; and

      (9) The State Comptroller, or the Comptroller's designee.

      (b) The committee shall meet at least quarterly and shall advise the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority on the administration, management, procedures and objectives of the financial assistance provided pursuant to section 8-37yy, including, but not limited to, the establishment of criteria, priorities and procedures for such financial assistance and the adoption of regulations pursuant to section 8-37yy.

      (c) The chairperson and vice-chairperson of the committee shall be selected by the committee from among its members. The chairperson, or the vice-chairperson in the absence of the chairperson, may establish subcommittees and working groups of the members as needed and designate a chairperson of each such subcommittee.

      (d) The initial term of the members appointed to the committee pursuant to subdivisions (1) to (7), inclusive, of subsection (a) of this section shall be staggered by lottery conducted by the committee. After the initial term, the terms of all members shall be three years. Members may be reappointed for an unlimited number of terms.

      (June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-4, S. 105; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-5, S. 3.)

      History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-4 effective July 1, 2007; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-5 made technical changes and amended Subsec. (b) to require committee to advise on the adoption of regulations, effective October 6, 2007.

      Sec. 8-37aaa. Grants for physical needs assessment of eligible housing. (a) The Department of Economic and Community Development shall design and administer a program of grants to owners of eligible housing to pay the cost of a comprehensive physical needs assessment for each eligible housing development. The final design of this program shall be subject to review by the State-Assisted Housing Sustainability Advisory Committee established pursuant to section 8-37zz. Such assessment may be a twenty-year life cycle analysis covering all physical elements, adjusted for observed conditions, and shall include, at a minimum, an evaluation of (1) dwelling units; building interiors and building envelopes; community buildings and amenities; site circulation and parking; site amenities such as lots; mechanical systems, including an analysis of technological options to reduce energy consumption and pay-back periods on new systems that produce heat and domestic hot water; and site conditions, (2) compliance with physical accessibility guidelines under Title II of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, and (3) hazardous materials abatement, including lead paint abatement. The costs of such needs assessments shall be paid from the fund.

      (b) A copy of each completed comprehensive physical needs assessment shall be submitted to the Department of Economic and Community Development in a format prescribed by the department. The format shall be designed by the department so that a baseline of existing and standardized conditions of eligible housing can be prepared and annually updated to reflect changes in the consumer price index and annual construction costs.

      (June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-4, S. 106.)

      History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-4 effective July 1, 2007.

      Secs. 8-37bbb to 8-37kkk. Reserved for future use.

      Sec. 8-37lll. Certification of affordable housing units within certified historic structures. Regulations. (a) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall review applications for affordable housing tax credits submitted pursuant to subsection (e) of section 10-416b. Upon determination that an application contains affordable housing as required by said section the commissioner shall issue a certificate to that effect. The commissioner shall monitor projects certified under this section to ensure that the affordable housing units are maintained as affordable for a minimum of ten years and may require deed restrictions or other fiscal mechanisms designed to ensure compliance with project requirements. The commissioner may impose a fee in an amount not exceeding two thousand dollars to cover the cost of reviewing applications and monitoring projects that qualify for affordable housing tax credits pursuant to subsections (a) to (j), inclusive, of section 10-416b.

      (b) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with the Commission on Culture and Tourism, may adopt regulations, pursuant to chapter 54, for monitoring of projects that qualify for affordable housing tax credits pursuant to subsections (a) to (j), inclusive, of section 10-416b by the Department of Economic and Community Development, or by local housing authorities, municipalities, other public agencies or quasi-public agencies, as defined in section 1-120, designated by the department. Such regulations shall include provisions for ensuring that affordable units developed under subdivision (3) of subsection (e) of section 10-416b are maintained as affordable for a minimum of ten years and may require deed restrictions or other fiscal mechanisms designed to ensure compliance with project requirements.

      (P.A. 07-250, S. 22; P.A. 10-188, S. 16.)

      History: P.A. 07-250 effective July 1, 2007; P.A. 10-188 made technical changes, effective July 1, 2010.

      Sec. 8-37mmm. Visitable housing. (a) For purposes of this section, "visitable housing" means one-to-four family residential construction that includes three basic architectural features to allow persons with disabilities to easily visit: (1) Interior doorways that provide a minimum thirty-two inch wide unobstructed opening, (2) an accessible means of egress, as defined in Appendix A to 28 CFR Part 36, and (3) a full or half bathroom on the first floor that is compliant with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, 42 USC 12101.

      (b) The Department of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, may establish a program to encourage the development of visitable housing in the state. The program shall (1) provide a single point of contact for any person seeking financial or technical assistance from the state to construct visitable housing, (2) identify financial incentives for developers who construct visitable housing, and (3) include public education about such housing. The department shall submit a report on the status of the program, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to housing not later than October 1, 2012.

      (c) The Department of Economic and Community Development shall establish, within available appropriations, an informational web page in a conspicuous place on such department's Internet web site with a list of links to available visitable housing resources.

      (P.A. 10-56, S. 2.)