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State housing staff outline land‑bank proposal to repurpose vacant school buildings for housing

Ways & Means Committee · April 1, 2026

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Summary

Housing‑division witnesses described a legislative feasibility study recommending a nonprofit land bank with powers to clear titles, hold property, and act as fiscal agent to convert vacant or abandoned schools into affordable housing or other community uses.

Department of Housing staff told the committee they have prepared a feasibility study and a tactical plan to enable a nonprofit land bank to assist communities in repurposing vacant or abandoned properties including former school buildings.

Sean Gilpin, director in the housing division, and Jamie (housing division staff) said a land bank could clear liens and cloudy titles, hold property temporarily, help obtain environmental testing and cleanups, serve as a fiscal agent for small communities, and bundle technical assistance for grant applications and project management. "They make decisions that are based on community benefit, not on profitability necessarily," one presenter said.

Witnesses gave examples and cost ranges: small‑school conversions producing 9 apartments cost about $10 million with layered funding from tax credits, VHFA, CDBG and ARPA; another conversion produced 19 affordable units at roughly $6.5 million with state rehabilitation tax credits. They noted a Maine proposal that would create a $5 million annual fund to convert one 45,000‑square‑foot school per year at an estimated $200 per square foot conversion figure.

Committee members asked how a land bank would differ from existing housing trusts and whether contaminated properties would be handled; presenters said land banks have unique legal powers (e.g., cleaning up back taxes, holding contaminated property with limited liability) and can issue bonds or act as an intermediary to preserve options for redevelopment in small towns.

Staff said they will deliver enabling legislation and a tactical plan to the legislature in November and invited committee members to the working group's monthly meetings.