MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Legislation proposed on March 3, 2015 by Senator Steven Bieda that clarifies tax exemptions for elderly or disabled non-profit housing has been passed.

“They type of housing is called PILT where you get a payment in lieu of taxes and this type of housing is offered to help make living more affordable to those people in our community that really need some extra assistance," Meridian Township Treasurer Julie Brixie said.

A few of the specified housing type developments exist throughout the township, but the proposed legislation won't impact anything that is currently in the township.

"What it would do is impact new housing developments that would qualify for the same type of tax exemption," Brixie said.

Currently, depending on the time of year the apartment complex is built, a years worth of taxes may have to be paid before the complex can qualify for the exemption.

"They've made some modifications so that you can go a little bit backward in time and get your exemption for this type of housing development which today you cannot receive," Brixie said.

Several changes have been made to the paperwork that is required for this type of exemption.

"People applying for the exemption will be able to simultaneously apply to more than one place which is different than in the past," Brixie said.

The bill was assigned Public Act 0078'16 with immediate affect on April 13, 2016.