The bill seeks to amend the Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1998, specifically Section 42-128-8.1, to enhance the state's comprehensive housing strategy. It aims to address the housing needs of a diverse population, including workers earning below 120% of the median income, older citizens, students, low-income families, and vulnerable groups such as disabled individuals, the homeless, and those released from correctional facilities. The bill encourages partnerships between the state and local communities to facilitate affordable housing development by updating zoning and building regulations and creating innovative funding and planning tools. Notably, the bill inserts a definition of "affordable housing" that includes mobile and manufactured homes under certain conditions, and acknowledges New Shoreham's achievement of its housing goal while providing for its continued compliance.

The legislation also revises definitions related to low- and moderate-income housing and affordable housing plans in Chapter 45-53, "Low and Moderate Income Housing," with a new effective date of January 1, 2024. It specifies that two residential units affordable for households earning less than 140% of the area median income will count towards a municipality's housing inventory. The bill requires towns and cities to align their comprehensive plans with the state's strategic housing requirements and mandates the state planning council to adopt guidelines for higher density development by July 1, 2006. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for counting mobile or manufactured homes as half a unit towards the low- or moderate-income housing total, with certain exemptions from income verification, and requires annual reporting on these homes starting December 31, 2025. The bill emphasizes that at least twenty percent of residential units approved by local review boards annually must be for low- and moderate-income housing and will take effect upon passage. There are no deletions indicated in the provided text.

Statutes affected:
7984  SUB A as amended: 42-128-8.1, 45-53-3
7984  SUB A: 42-128-8.1, 45-53-3
7984: 42-128-8.1, 45-53-3