State lawmakers are looking for creative ways to increase 海角换妻鈥檚 housing, while making use of existing buildings.
Two bills being considered by state lawmakers to expand housing would work to increase housing options without increasing the state鈥檚 urban footprint.
Developers would receive tax breaks for , and , like hotels and offices, into apartments.
John Souza is president of the 海角换妻 Coalition of Property Owners and a full-time landlord. He spoke in favor of the bills Tuesday during a public hearing before the state鈥檚 Housing Committee.
鈥淚n Hartford, there's a lot of empty office space. I think the world has changed a lot where people are working from home,鈥� Souza said. 鈥淭his would encourage developers to build housing in those units, and I think that's a no-brainer for both of them.鈥�
Using a 鈥渃arrot鈥� approach, by providing a kickback to developers in the form of a tax break, is a good way to get more investment in 海角换妻, Souza said.
The developers would receive for under both bills would not exceed $30,000 for each unit, or $50,000 for nonprofit developers.
As the commercial property bill is currently written, vacant industrial properties are not included, due to concerns over environmental remediation that may be needed for former factory sites.
Adding apartments over retail space would increase the number of homes available for a range of income levels, said Lauren Tagliatela, a landlord and member of the 海角换妻 Apartment Association.
鈥淭his bill encourages smart growth by increasing housing density without expanding urban footprints,鈥� Tagliatela said. 鈥淚t strengthens local economies by adding residential units in commercial corridors and increasing foot traffic for small businesses.鈥�
Almost all public comment was in favor of the bills as a way to both increase the state鈥檚 housing stock and take advantage of existing, underutilized buildings.
The two bills are expected to come up for a vote before the Housing Committee.
