WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 6496

AN ACT CONCERNING THE CONVERSION OF VACANT MOTELS TO MULTIFAMILY HOUSING.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Gary Turco

Connecticut bill enables conversion of vacant motels to apartments to address housing shortage through adaptive reuse of existing structures.

CHG. REF., SEN. TO COMM. ON Planning and Development
#housingdevelopment #housing #departmentof
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 6496

Legislative bill overview

HB 6496 establishes a process for converting vacant or underutilized motels in Connecticut into multifamily residential housing. The bill aims to address housing shortages by facilitating the adaptive reuse of existing motel structures rather than requiring new construction from the ground up.

Why is this important

Connecticut faces a significant housing affordability and supply crisis, with a shortage of affordable units particularly in urban and suburban areas. Converting existing motel infrastructure into apartments reduces development costs, construction timelines, and environmental impact compared to new construction, while providing housing stock where it's needed most.

Potential points of contention

  • Property owner incentives: Unclear whether the bill provides sufficient financial incentives (tax breaks, grants, reduced permitting fees) to motivate private motel owners to voluntarily convert properties rather than continue operating them or selling to developers
  • Regulatory standards: Questions about whether converted motel units will meet modern building codes, accessibility requirements, and habitability standards, particularly regarding room sizes and amenities in structures originally designed for short-term stays
  • Community impact concerns: Potential neighborhood resistance regarding density changes, parking adequacy, and whether rapid conversions create concentration of lower-income housing without corresponding community services and infrastructure upgrades

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.