Para ordenar al Departamento de la Vivienda, a presentar en el Tribunal General de Justicia de Puerto Rico un recurso de expropiación forzosa de los terrenos donde enclavan las viviendas de los residentes de la Comunidad Lajes, localizadas en el Callejón Lajes, en el Municipio Autónomo de Ponce, o a gestionar su adquisición por medio del Programa de Autorización de Titulos o por el valor justo de mercado o por el procedimiento legal correspondiente, según sea el caso, 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 exentos del cumplimiento del requisito de ingresos establecido en la Ley Núm. 132 de 1 de julio de 1975, según enmendada.

2025-2028 Session

Puerto Rico housing department must acquire Lajes community land through expropriation or purchase and transfer titles to residents while waiving standard income requirements.

Referido a Comisión(es)

Legislative bill overview

Bill RCC 117 directs Puerto Rico's Housing Department to acquire land in the Lajes community of Ponce through forced expropriation, Title Authorization Program, fair market value, or appropriate legal procedures. Once acquired, the department must subdivide and transfer property titles to current residents, exempting them from income requirements otherwise mandated by Law 132 of 1975.

Why is this important

This bill addresses informal housing and property rights insecurity for residents of the Lajes community who currently lack legal title to their homes. Formalizing property ownership provides residents with collateral for loans, inheritance protections, and stability against displacement—critical economic and social benefits for vulnerable populations in Puerto Rico.

Potential points of contention

Cost and budget impact: Forced expropriation and property acquisition require significant public expenditure; the bill does not specify funding sources or budget allocations

Precedent concerns: Exempting these residents from income requirements in Law 132 may create disparities if other communities face similar housing insecurity and request similar exemptions

Property owner complexity: If private parties own the land, expropriation proceedings could be lengthy and legally contested; the bill's multiple acquisition pathways suggest uncertainty about current ownership status

Scope definition: The bill references "residentes de la Comunidad Lajes" without clearly defining which individuals qualify, potentially creating eligibility disputes during implementation