Subcommittee advances bills to strengthen housing‑data reporting and create centralized DHCD database

The Senate housing subcommittee voted to report two bills aimed at improving housing data and transparency.

SB 665 would require localities to provide DHCD with more detailed reporting on housing studies and development activity — including counts of applications submitted, approved or denied and flagging applications pending 12 months or more (without applicant‑requested delays) as denials — and move the reporting deadline earlier to August 1 to give lawmakers more time to review data before session. SB 666 would direct DHCD to develop a centralized, publicly accessible housing development database that records submissions, approvals, unit counts, affordability metrics tied to area median income, approval timelines and expirations of long‑term affordability protections.

Sponsor testimony framed both bills as transparency measures to inform policy choices and identify where bottle‑necks and long approval timelines increase costs. Committee members raised concerns that raw data might reflect process differences rather than intentional local obstruction; the sponsor said standardized metrics would reduce anecdote and finger‑pointing and allow objective comparisons.

After debate, SB 665 was recommended for reporting (voice vote recorded 4–2) and SB 666 was recommended for reporting (voice vote recorded 5–1). Supporters said the measures will help preserve affordable housing by surfacing expirations of income‑restricted units and identifying local delays that drive up costs.