Para ordenar a la Administración de Terrenos transferir al Departamento de la Vivienda, los terrenos donde enclavan las viviendas de los residentes de la Comunidad Playita Ferry en el Municipio de Ponce, ubicada en la Parcela 1, colindante al norte con los solares 7, 8 y 9, al lado sur y oeste con la Calle Oro y al Este con la Ave. Ferry, y una vez adquirida la titularidad, segregarlos y cederlos; otorgándole títulos de propiedad a los vecinos de la antes mencionada comunidad; disponiéndose que estas personas estarán exentas del cumplimiento del requisito de ingresos establecido en la Ley Núm. 132 de 1 de julio de 1975, según enmendada; para ordenar a la Junta de Planificación que realice las gestiones pertinentes para la actualización del mapa de zonas inundables; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico bill transfers Playita Ferry community land titles to residents, waives income requirements, and mandates updated flood zone mapping.

Referido a Comisión(es)

Legislative bill overview

Bill RCC 118 directs Puerto Rico's Land Administration to transfer land parcels in the Playita Ferry community (Ponce) to the Department of Housing, which will then subdivide and transfer property titles to current residents. The bill exempts these residents from income requirements normally mandated under Law 132 of 1975 and requires the Planning Board to update flood zone mapping for the area.

Why is this important

This bill addresses informal housing settlements by formalizing property ownership for residents who currently lack legal title to their land. Property formalization can enable residents to access credit, make home improvements, and establish legal protections, while also clarifying land records and tax obligations. Additionally, updated flood zone mapping is critical for a community in a coastal, hurricane-prone region vulnerable to flooding.

Potential points of contention

Income requirement waiver: Exempting residents from income limits may be viewed as preferential treatment compared to other housing program applicants, or conversely as necessary relief for an established community

Fiscal impact: The cost of land transfer, title processing, and administrative work is not specified; unclear whether Housing Department has sufficient resources

Flood risk concerns: If the area is flood-prone, transferring titles without mandatory flood mitigation or disclosure requirements could expose new owners to uninsured losses and future liabilities

Precedent: Approval may encourage similar requests from other informal settlements, with budgetary implications for the government