§ 29-26-101 — Legislative declaration

(1) The general assembly hereby finds
and declares that:

(a) It is in the public interest to maintain a diverse housing stock in order to
preserve some diversity of housing opportunities for the state's residents and
people of low- and moderate-income.

(b) A housing shortage for persons of low- and moderate-income is
detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare. In particular, the inability of
such persons to reside near where they work negatively affects the balance
between jobs and housing in many regions of the state and has serious detrimental
transportation and environmental consequences.

(c) As an initial step in fostering the establishment of affordable housing
dwelling unit programs that will satisfy the housing needs of all the residents of a
particular jurisdiction, it is appropriate for the general assembly to authorize local
governments to establish affordable housing dwelling unit advisory boards.

(d) In selecting members of the advisory boards, the governing bodies of
local government shall give preference to residents of the jurisdiction who have
demonstrated experience in housing matters, preferably within the territorial
boundaries of the jurisdiction, as a result of their current or former experience,
without limitation, as a:

(I) Registered or certified civil engineer or architect;

(II) Planner;

(III) Real estate broker licensed in accordance with part 2 of article 10 of title
12;

(IV) Representative of a lending institution that finances residential
development within the territorial boundaries of the local government;

(V) Representative of the local housing authority;

(VI) Residential builder with extensive experience in producing single-family
or multiple-family dwelling units;

(VII) Representative of either the public works or planning department of the
local government; or

(VIII) Representative of a nonprofit housing organization that provides
services within the territorial boundaries of the local government.

(e) In addition, one or more members of the board, in the discretion of the
local government, shall be a resident of the jurisdiction without demonstrated
experience in housing matters.

(2) In creating this article, the general assembly intends that affordable
housing dwelling unit advisory boards shall address the housing needs of low- and
moderate-income persons, promote a full range of housing choices, and develop
effective policies to encourage the construction and continued existence of
affordable housing.

Legislative History

Source: L. 2001: Entire article added, p. 974, � 1, effective August 8. L. 2008: (1)(d)(III) amended, p. 511, � 31, effective April 17. L. 2019: (1)(d)(III) amended, (HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 1717, � 210, effective October 1.