(a) The commissioner, in consultation with the Treasurer, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority and after consideration of the recommendations of the committee established by subsection (b) of this section, shall establish regulations and criteria for rating various proposals for funds under the Housing Trust Fund program. The regulations shall be adopted pursuant to chapter 54 and posted on the department's web site.

(b) There shall be a Housing Trust Fund Program Advisory Committee. Said committee shall meet at least semiannually and shall advise the commissioner on (1) the administration, management and objectives of the Housing Trust Fund program; and (2) the development of regulations, procedures and rating criteria for the program. The committee shall be appointed by the commissioner, in consultation with the Treasurer and the secretary and shall include the chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to planning and development, and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to housing and representatives from each of the following: (A) The nonprofit housing development community; (B) the for-profit housing development community; (C) a housing authority; (D) a community development financial institution; (E) the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority; (F) a state-wide housing organization; (G) an elected or appointed official of a municipality with a population of less than fifty thousand; (H) an elected or appointed official of a municipality with a population between fifty thousand and one hundred thousand; (I) an elected or appointed official of a municipality with a population in excess of one hundred thousand; and (J) the employers of the state, which may be satisfied by the appointment of a representative from a state business and industry association or regional chambers of commerce.

(c) The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to carry out the provisions of sections 8-336m to 8-336q, inclusive.

(d) The commissioner may request, inspect and audit reports, books and records and any other financial or project-related information with respect to eligible applicants that receive financial assistance, including, without limitation, resident or employment information, financial and operating statements and audits. The commissioner may investigate the accuracy and completeness of such reports, books and records.

(e) Whenever financial assistance is provided pursuant to section 8-336p, the commissioner may take all reasonable steps and exercise all available remedies necessary or desirable to protect the obligations or interests of the state, including, but not limited to, amending any term or condition of a contract or agreement, provided such amendment is allowed or agreed to pursuant to such contract or agreement, or purchasing or redeeming, pursuant to foreclosure proceedings, bankruptcy proceedings or in other judicial proceedings, any property on which such commissioner or the department holds a mortgage or other lien, or in which the commissioner or the department has an interest.

(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5, S. 22; P.A. 12-8, S. 3.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-5 effective July 1, 2005; P.A. 12-8 amended Subsec. (b) by changing “select committee” to “joint standing committee”, effective May 2, 2012.