(a) There is established an interagency council on affordable housing to advise and assist the commissioner of the Department of Housing in the planning and implementation of the department.

(b) The council shall consist of the following members: (1) The Commissioners of Social Services, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Children and Families, Correction, Economic and Community Development, Education and Developmental Services, or their designees; (2) the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or his or her designee; (3) the executive director of the Partnership for Strong Communities, or his or her designee; (4) the executive director of the Connecticut Housing Coalition, or his or her designee; (5) the executive director of the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, or his or her designee; (6) the executive director of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, or his or her designee; (7) the president of the Connecticut chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, or his or her designee; (8) two members, appointed by the members specified in subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of this subsection, who shall be tenants receiving state housing assistance; and (9) one member, appointed by the members specified in subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of this subsection, who shall be a state resident eligible to receive state housing assistance. The Governor shall designate a member of the council to serve as chairperson.

(c) The council shall convene on or before July 15, 2012, to develop strategies and recommendations for the implementation of the Department of Housing. The council shall: (1) Assess the housing needs of low income individuals and families; (2) review and analyze the effectiveness of existing state programs in meeting those needs; (3) identify barriers to effective housing delivery systems; and (4) develop strategies and recommendations to enhance the availability of safe and affordable housing in communities across the state through the Department of Housing.

(d) On or before January 15, 2013, the council shall submit, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, a report to the Governor and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, housing and human services on the implementation of the Department of Housing. The report shall address recommendations concerning: (A) Programs to be transferred to the Department of Housing and a timeline for implementation; (B) effective changes to the state’s housing delivery systems; (C) prioritization of housing resources; and (D) enhanced coordination among and across housing systems. Not later than fifteen days after receipt of the report submitted pursuant to this subsection, the committees shall hold a public hearing on said report.

(June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 113; P.A. 13-234, S. 16; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 280.)

History: June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 effective June 15, 2012; P.A. 13-234 amended Subsec. (b) by adding Commissioners of Education, Aging and Developmental Services in Subdiv. (1), adding new Subdiv. (7) re president of Connecticut chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials and redesignating existing Subdivs. (7) and (8) as Subdivs. (8) and (9), effective July 1, 2013; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 amended Subsec. (b) by deleting reference to Commissioner on Aging, effective October 31, 2017.