The bill amends the Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1998, specifically Section 42-128-8.1, to update the state's comprehensive housing strategy. It aims to address the housing needs of various populations, including workers, older citizens, students, low-income families, and vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, homeless individuals, and those released from correctional institutions. The bill emphasizes the importance of collaboration between the state and local communities to remove barriers to housing development, modernize zoning and building regulations, and create innovative funding and planning tools to promote affordable housing construction and rehabilitation. It introduces new definitions, such as "affordable housing," which now includes mobile and manufactured homes under certain conditions. The bill also acknowledges that New Shoreham has achieved its low- and moderate-income housing goal and sets provisions for its continued compliance.

The bill broadens the definition of "Low- or moderate-income housing" to include any "type of" housing, expanding the range of developments that can qualify. It requires the state's strategic housing plan to be updated every five years and mandates that local comprehensive plans align with the state's strategic plan. The bill also outlines the state's responsibility to maintain a geographic information system map to identify suitable areas for higher density residential development and provides guidelines for such development. Additionally, the bill allows mobile and manufactured homes to count towards a municipality's low- or moderate-income housing requirement, with specific homes counting as one-half of a unit if they are not subsidized or deed-restricted but meet other conditions. Municipalities must contract with a monitoring agent to ensure compliance, and Rhode Island Housing must report on qualifying homes annually. The act will take effect immediately upon passage.

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