Estates in Real PropertyHousing Cooperatives and Housing Cooperative Trusts
Section § 817
This law defines what a limited-equity housing cooperative or a workforce housing cooperative trust is. It outlines the requirements, such as being organized as a nonprofit or holding property titles under certain conditions. The articles of incorporation or bylaws must control the sale and purchase of memberships and stocks, keeping prices within limits, and must allow the housing cooperative to use its 'corporate equity' for improvements, acquisitions, or public purposes. A significant member vote is needed to change the rules in the bylaws or articles of incorporation.
Section § 817.1
This section explains what a "workforce housing cooperative trust" is and how it should be set up and run. The board of this trust has two types of members: those elected by residents and those appointed by sponsor organizations like businesses or nonprofits. Resident-elected members must have the majority. At first, only sponsor members are on the board, but residents start electing members after one year of living there; they take the majority by the third year. Sponsor-appointed members can only be removed for specific reasons. The trust can issue special shares to sponsors with limited returns. To change the trust’s rules, most resident members and board members must agree. The trust can operate in different places and either own or lease land to create affordable housing. It can also be formed if most residents in a foreclosed property support an effort to buy it.
Section § 817.2
This law outlines the steps for dissolving a limited-equity housing cooperative or workforce housing cooperative trust that received public funding. First, the local city or county must hold a public hearing, which the cooperative pays for. Next, notice of the hearing must be given 120 days in advance to interested parties, including nearby cooperatives, to explore potential mergers. If a merger is possible, it should happen with the closest cooperative. If no merger happens, the local authorities must approve the dissolution plan to ensure it's legal and fair, forwarding all information to the Attorney General for review.
Section § 817.3
This law states that any organization that is listed as a sponsor for a workforce housing cooperative trust automatically becomes a member of that trust, unless the organization chooses to withdraw its sponsorship by providing written notice.
Section § 817.4
This law states that if someone sues a board of directors for not doing their job properly or breaking rules, and they win, the person who sued can get their legal fees paid. Also, if an organization that uses public money tries to stop following the rules or dissolve in a way that benefits its members unfairly, they can’t use their corporate funds to make that happen.