Committee amends and then tables bill allowing development authorities to pursue workforce housing projects

Representative Al Williams presented House Bill 11-77 to authorize development authorities to engage in workforce housing projects—acquisition, construction, improvement, leasing or financing—targeted to households at or below a designated median-income threshold.

"Workforce housing is one of the most compelling problems we have in Georgia," Williams said, arguing development authorities are an available tool in many counties. The original bill text limited qualifying households to 80% of median household income; during committee discussion Representative Saints offered a friendly amendment to change that figure to 100% and the amendment passed on a voice vote.

Committee members raised multiple procedural and policy questions: whether development authorities would be allowed to issue bonds or otherwise finance projects in ways that could create taxpayer exposure; whether authorities would directly undertake construction or act as a pass-through for private builders; how to structure income limits and whether an affordability covenant or recorded land-use restriction should be required to maintain income-restricted status for a defined period. Representative Montahan proposed a 30-year recorded land-use restriction requiring compliance with the income limit; counsel noted the statutory drafting placement would need adjustment.

After discussion, Chairman Thomas moved to table HB 11-77 to allow further drafting and negotiation. The chair ruled the ayes had it and the bill was tabled; members said they would reconvene work and that the item may be revisited at the committee’s next meeting.

The committee’s action leaves the core policy intent intact—using development authorities optionally to advance workforce housing—while deferring detailed decisions about income thresholds, bonding mechanisms and long-term affordability covenants to follow-up drafting.