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GA HB1266
Bill
Status
Introduced
2/13/2024
Primary Sponsor
Dale Washburn
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AI Summary
- Creates a voluntary three-tier certification system through the Department of Community Affairs for counties (population 15,000+) and municipalities (population 2,000+) that adopt pro-housing policies: "workforce housing ready community" (10+ policies), "workforce housing ready expert" (15+ policies), and "workforce and home ownership leader" (20+ policies), with applications accepted starting July 1, 2026
- Certified local governments receive priority in grant and loan applications from the Department of Community Affairs, Department of Natural Resources (federal recreational trails program), and the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, with higher certification tiers receiving priority over lower tiers
- Counties and municipalities certified as "workforce and home ownership leaders" are exempt from matching fund requirements under the state's local maintenance and improvement grant program for roads
- Qualifying policies span four tiers and include measures such as reducing minimum lot sizes, allowing accessory dwelling units and duplexes on single-family lots, permitting townhomes and cottage courtyards, reducing parking minimums, lowering setback and height restrictions, streamlining building permits, and supporting community land trusts
- Responds to legislative findings that Georgia faces a housing crisis with 138,000 units below demand, a 35% increase in new home construction costs since COVID-19, a decline of 67,000 affordable rental units, and rising homelessness for the first time since 2011
Legislative Description
Community Housing Options Increase Cost Efficiency Act; enact
Last Action
House Committee Favorably Reported
2/21/2024
Committee Referrals
Governmental Affairs2/15/2024
Full Bill Text
No bill text available