The bill amends Section 45-53-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-53, entitled "Low and Moderate Income Housing," with changes effective January 1, 2024. The amendment includes a new definition of "low- or moderate-income housing" to encompass rental property within a municipality that is secured with a federal government rental assistance voucher. Additionally, it 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 secured with a federal government rental assistance voucher that does not meet other requirements to qualify as low- or moderate-income housing under this section, shall be counted as one whole unit towards the municipality's requirement for low- or moderate-income housing. This is contingent on the municipality confirming with the issuing authority that the voucher is in good standing and active.

The bill also clarifies that the term "adjustments" refers to requests by applicants for relief from municipal zoning or land development regulations, and it outlines the standards for local review board consideration of such adjustments. The definition of "affordable housing plan" and "approved affordable housing plan" are provided, with the latter requiring approval by the director of administration. The bill sets forth the conditions under which local zoning and land use ordinances are considered "consistent with local needs" and defines terms such as "infeasible," "letter of eligibility," "local review board," and "municipal government subsidy." The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2024.

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