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A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION directing the establishment of the Kentucky 1
Housing Task Force. 2
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Kentucky continues to be a desired location for 3
individuals and families to live, but the lack of housing places a severe strain on many 4
Kentucky individuals and families making it difficult for individuals and families to 5
thrive, and threatens the survival of our most vulnerable; and 6
WHEREAS, access to housing provides security and enhanced opportunities for a 7
strong economy, job creation, and is an essential element to ensure current residents and 8
generations to come are able to live, work, and stay in Kentucky communities; and 9
WHEREAS, the ability to achieve the American dream of homeownership and 10
permanent housing allows individuals and families the opportunity to build equity, 11
accumulate wealth, foster community relationships, and access health and educational 12
services that elevate the well-being of individuals, communities, businesses, and the 13
economy at large; and 14
WHEREAS, the demand for housing is increasing and outpaces the available 15
supply of housing in Kentucky, shown by the fact that the average number of housing 16
units sold has decreased in recent by over 16 percent annually, while the median sales 17
price continues to increase by over four percent annually according to the Kentucky 18
Association of Realtors. As prices rise and the supply decreases, Kentuckians are without 19
options for home ownership and must rely on rental options or living farther away from 20
their employment, family, or desired communities; and 21
WHEREAS, the increased demand for housing has widened gaps in disparity as 22
demonstrated by the shortage of over 78,000 rental homes for extremely low-income 23
renters in Kentucky as reported by the National Low-Income Housing Coalition; and 24
WHEREAS, affordable housing is often defined as that for which a resident is 25
utilizing 30 percent of available income on total housing costs, and this benchmark that 26
has become increasingly difficult for individuals and families to achieve while facing 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 1802
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multiple economic pressures outside of their control; and 1
WHEREAS, affordable housing is only one component of obtaining permanent 2
housing. The shortage of housing represents a continuum of unmet demand for all 3
persons and impacts many Kentuckians, including individuals experiencing 4
homelessness, those seeking stable rental housing, individuals seeking first-time 5
homeownership, and aging populations with changing needs; and 6
WHEREAS, the housing needs of Kentucky are not singular and encompass 7
providing accessibility to work, school, and healthcare; adequate and safe living 8
conditions, appropriate for the needs of the community; and an available supply to meet 9
the diverse socioeconomic needs of individuals and families; and 10
WHEREAS, the ecosystem of housing is complex and relies on many pillars that 11
operate interdependently. The housing crisis does not have one simple solution, but 12
provides the Commonwealth a complex problem that requires a multifaceted approach to 13
identify actions available to work toward a solution; 14
NOW, THEREFORE, 15
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the 16
Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Senate concurring therein: 17
Section 1. (1) The Legislative Research Commission shall establish the 18
Kentucky Housing Task Force. The task force shall study, review, and make 19
recommendations regarding the current and future policy needs of the state to address 20
access and availability of housing to the citizens of the Commonwealth, including but not 21
limited to: 22
(a) A demographic analysis of housing costs, population, and employment 23
opportunities statewide and regionally in Kentucky; 24
(b) A comprehensive review of state and local laws, regulations, policies, and 25
procedures that affect housing; 26
(c) Analysis of the availability and accessibility of housing to include 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 1802
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examination of the costs of housing, utilities, and access to healthcare; 1
(d) Evaluate land use, zoning, infrastructure, and community planning to identify 2
barriers that impede the development and availability of accessible, adequate, and 3
affordable housing; and 4
(e) Examine efforts and policy changes in other states and municipalities to 5
address increasing housing supply and encourage homeownership. 6
(2) In development of policy recommendations and strategies, the task force shall 7
seek input from organizations and associations whose members are impacted by housing 8
policy, advisory groups, researchers, and appropriate stakeholders as determined by the 9
task force; and 10
Section 2. The task force shall be composed of the following 10 members, with 11
final membership of the task force being subject to the consideration and approval of the 12
Legislative Research Commission: 13
(1) Four members of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate, 14
one of whom shall be designated as a co-chair of the task force by the President of the 15
Senate; 16
(2) One member of the Senate, to be appointed by the Minority Floor Leader of 17
the Senate; 18
(3) Four members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker 19
of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be designated as a co-chair of the 20
task force by the Speaker of the House; and 21
(4) One member of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Minority 22
Floor Leader of the House of Representatives. 23
Section 3. The Kentucky Housing Task Force shall meet at least monthly 24
during the 2024 Interim of the General Assembly. The task force shall submit findings 25
and recommendations to the Legislative Research Commission for referral to the 26
appropriate committee or subcommittee thereof by December 1, 2024. 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 1802
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Section 4. Provisions of this Resolution to the contrary notwithstanding, the 1
Legislative Research Commission shall have the authority to alternatively assign the 2
issues identified herein to an interim joint committee or subcommittee thereof, and to 3
designate a study completion date. 4