The bill amends sections 45-53-3 and 45-53-4 of the General Laws concerning "Low and Moderate Income Housing," introducing several key changes to enhance the development and regulation of affordable housing. Notably, it defines "adjustments" to allow applicants to seek relief from municipal zoning ordinances and establishes the term "affordable housing plan," which outlines requirements for addressing local housing needs. The bill emphasizes the impact on the total number of low-income residents in a municipality, requiring consideration of public school systems, transportation, and infrastructure in housing assessments. It also clarifies the definition of "low- or moderate-income housing" and mandates that government-subsidized units remain affordable for at least 30 years, while municipalities must contract with monitoring agents to ensure compliance and report annually on qualifying units.

Additionally, the bill introduces new procedures for substantial multi-family housing projects, defined as those proposing over sixty units in municipalities with populations under 35,000. It requires separate applications for these projects, which must be assessed for consistency with local needs, and mandates municipalities to provide subsidies and zoning incentives to support affordable housing development. The bill deletes previous provisions allowing a single application for comprehensive permits for all housing projects, streamlining the process for larger developments. It also establishes specific timelines for review processes, including pre-application conferences and final plan approvals, while allowing local review boards to impose fees and requiring majority votes for decisions. Overall, the amendments aim to create a more structured and accountable framework for the development of low- and moderate-income housing while addressing community concerns.