The bill amends Section 45-53-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-53, titled "Low and Moderate Income Housing," to redefine certain terms and include new provisions that will become effective on January 1, 2024. The amendments include a new definition for "low- or moderate-income housing," which will now also encompass rental property secured with a federal government rental assistance voucher. Additionally, the bill specifies that from July 1, 2024, any housing unit that qualifies as low- or moderate-income housing under this new definition and under § 42-128-8.1, as well as any rental property with a federal government rental assistance voucher that does not meet other requirements to qualify as low- or moderate-income housing, shall be counted as one whole unit towards the municipality's requirement for such housing. This is contingent on the municipality confirming with the issuing authority that the voucher is in good standing and active.

The bill also includes insertions that clarify the conditions under which adjustments to municipal zoning or land use ordinances can be requested by applicants, the meaning of "consistent with local needs," and the criteria for housing to be considered "infeasible." It further defines terms such as "approved affordable housing plan," "comprehensive plan," "letter of eligibility," "local review board," "meeting local housing needs," "monitoring agents," and "municipal government subsidy." The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2024, and aims to expand the definition of low- and moderate-income housing to include housing secured by federal vouchers, thereby potentially increasing the availability of affordable housing options.

Statutes affected:
2089  as amended: 45-53-3
2089: 45-53-3