As a result of the legislation, Seymour is due to receive approximately $73,779 under the state’s moderate rental housing PILOT program. This program allows the state to enter into contracts with municipalities and their housing authorities to make payments in lieu of taxes on eligible parcels of land and improvements owned or leased by the housing authorities.

The funds housing authorities would have otherwise used to pay property taxes must be used for specific purposes as outlined by the state Department of Economic and Community Development. Those purposes include reducing rents below the levels which would be achieved in the absence of this program, increasing occupancy of the housing units, improving the quality and design of the housing units or providing necessary related facilities or services in the housing units. Funding for this program had not been included in the state’s 2008 or 2009 budgets, but had been funded with surplus state budget funds in both 2006 and 2007.

“Housing PILOT is a worthwhile program that helps the needy, while not relying on local property taxes to pay for it. I was disappointed when the General Assembly under-funded it under our current biennial budget. Fortunately, we acted to correct that, and I was happy to have the opportunity for vote to restore the funding,” said Senator Debicella.

“As a new state senator, I was delighted to have the opportunity to vote in favor of restoring funding for such an excellent program – one that benefits many communities in Connecticut, including Seymour. This is excellent news,” said Senator Kane.