Industrial development authorities may support housing in five localities

Industrial development authorities in five named localities would be allowed to issue bonds, make grants, or use both for affordable housing construction. This applies to authorities in Halifax, Henry, and Pittsylvania Counties and the Cities of Danville and Martinsville. The housing must be intended to promote safe and affordable housing. An authority could not operate the housing facility itself or use the listed eminent-domain powers under § 36-27.

The definition of facilities eligible for industrial development authority powers would include places used mainly for single-family or multifamily housing. Outside Halifax, Henry, Pittsylvania, Danville, and Martinsville, this housing provision applies only to authorities created by localities whose housing authorities have not been activated. The bill states that housing facilities may be located inside or outside the locality that created the authority. The authority itself could not operate the housing facility or use the listed eminent-domain powers under § 36-27.