9-12-901. Wyoming workforce housing infrastructure program; purpose; definitions.

(a) The legislature finds and declares that:

(i) There is in this state by reason of the location and expansion of mineral extractive industries and other economic developments, a critical shortage of adequate housing;

(ii) It is in the public interest of the citizens of this state to facilitate the provision of adequate housing in order to promote the economic welfare of the state and its residents by increasing employment, stimulating economic activity, augmenting sources of tax revenue, fostering economic stability, furthering health care and improving the balance of the state's economy;

(iii) It is the purpose of this article to promote and continue economic development by providing adequate housing necessary to create additional economic health and a stronger state economy;

(iv) This article constitutes a valid public purpose, of primary benefit to all citizens of the state of Wyoming.

(b) As used in this article:

(i) "Community development organization" means as defined by W.S. 9-12-301(a)(ii);

(ii) "Community land trust" means land held in trust as a public investment for the long-term benefit of a community to provide secure, affordable access to land and workforce housing for community residents;

(iii) "State development organization" means as defined by W.S. 9-12-301(a)(iv);

(iv) "Workforce housing" means owner-occupied, residential dwellings;

(v) "Workforce housing infrastructure" means publicly owned infrastructure to a workforce housing subdivision or development, and if determined by the council to be consistent with the purposes of this article, through a workforce housing subdivision or development. To be considered "workforce housing infrastructure" under this article, the infrastructure shall be for a workforce housing subdivision or development for which the political subdivision making application under this article has required, through zoning or otherwise, the inclusion of a specified percentage or number of housing units at specified maximum initial sale prices or to have a specified initially finished, maximum square footage. In addition, the following shall apply:

(A) "Workforce housing infrastructure" includes:

(I) Rights of way;

(II) Sewer and water distribution projects;

(III) Storm water control and drainage facilities;

(IV) Streets, roads and bridges;

(V) Curbs, gutters and sidewalks;

(VI) Lift stations;

(VII) Traffic signals;

(VIII) Street lighting;

(IX) Payment for the additional costs of over-sizing water and sewer distribution lines through or to a subdivision to accommodate future expansion;

(X) The purchase of land as necessary to accommodate infrastructure projects;

(XI) Other infrastructure determined by the council to be consistent with the purposes of this article.

(B) "Workforce housing infrastructure" shall not include:

(I) Projects, the primary purpose of which is to bring public infrastructure to existing housing which is supplied by a well or uses a septic system. Nothing in this subdivision prohibits the use of funding under this article to provide such infrastructure as incidental to an approved project;

(II) Refinancing of existing projects that have been financed previously with other resources;

(III) Financing any project under the Wyoming water development program established by W.S. 41-2-112 through 41-2-124;

(IV) Financing any project that does not provide for the construction of additional housing units or that involves rehabilitation or expansion of existing infrastructure unless the council determines the rehabilitation or expansion is necessary to meet the purposes of this article;

(V) Financing any infrastructure project which is not under public ownership.