The bill amends the Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1998, renaming it the “Comprehensive Housing Production and Rehabilitation Act of 2004,” and addresses the state's housing needs. It emphasizes the necessity for a comprehensive housing strategy that caters to various populations, including workers, older citizens, students, low-income families, and vulnerable populations. The bill highlights the need for creative funding, innovative planning tools, and partnerships to increase affordable housing options, including multi-family and student housing. It mandates the development of a five-year strategic housing plan by July 1, 2006, which should include quantified goals, measurable steps, and standards for housing production and rehabilitation. The bill also expands the definition of "affordable housing" to include a variety of year-round housing options, such as manufactured housing and housing accepting rental vouchers. The bill introduces a new definition for "low- or moderate-income housing" to be synonymous with "affordable housing" and includes any type of housing. It requires towns and cities to align their comprehensive plans with the state's strategic housing plan and advises on guidelines for higher density development. The bill also allows certain mobile and manufactured homes to count towards the municipality's affordable housing quota, with subsidized units counting as one whole unit and non-subsidized units counting as half a unit. It defines terms like "meeting local housing needs" and outlines the roles of monitoring agents. The act is set to take effect upon passage, aiming to incorporate mobile and manufactured homes into the affordable housing framework and expand housing options for low-and moderate-income residents in Rhode Island.

Statutes affected:
2993  as amended: 42-128-8.1, 45-53-3
2993: 42-128-8.1, 45-53-3