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Senate committee hears bill to ease affordable housing on religious land, add tax exemption
Summary
A bill that would lower the affordability threshold for density bonuses on religious-owned property from 100% to 50% and create a limited sales/use tax exemption drew broad support from cities, faith groups and affordable-housing developers at a Jan.14 Senate Housing Committee hearing; counties and contractors urged funding or revisions for implementation and procurement provisions.
Senators and witnesses told the Senate Housing Committee on Jan. 14 that a targeted incentive package could unlock underused church land for affordable and workforce housing.
Senator Marcus Richelli, the bill’s prime sponsor, said the measure would lower the density-bonus affordability requirement for housing built on property owned or controlled by religious organizations from 100% to 50%, while allowing cities or counties to set higher thresholds locally. "If it doesn't pencil out, it's not going to get built," Richelli said, arguing the changes will help put more "shovels in the ground" on underutilized faith-owned land.
Committee staff explained the proposal also creates a sales-and-use tax exemption for construction, repair or improvement…
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