2013 -- S 0494

=======

LC01676

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

____________

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - RHODE ISLAND HOUSING

RESOURCES ACT OF 1998

     Introduced By: Senators Crowley, Metts, and Pichardo

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2013

     Referred To: Senate Finance

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1-1

     SECTION 1. Sections 42-128-1 and 42-128-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-128

1-2

entitled "Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1998" are hereby amended to read as follows:

1-3

     42-128-1. Findings. -- (a) Rhode Island has an older housing stock which contributes

1-4

invaluably to community character, and in order to maintain the stability of neighborhoods and to

1-5

sustain health communities, it is necessary to have programs for housing and community

1-6

development and revitalization.

1-7

      (b) Rhode Island has an active private sector that is engaged in supplying housing.

1-8

      (c) Rhode Island has an active non-profit housing sector, which can, if provided adequate

1-9

support, assist low and moderate income persons and works to improve conditions in

1-10

neighborhoods and communities.

1-11

      (d) Housing that is not adequately maintained is a source of blight in communities and a

1-12

cause of public health problems. Public health and safety are impaired by poor housing

1-13

conditions; poisoning from lead paint and respiratory disease (asthma) are significant housing

1-14

related health problems in Rhode Island.

1-15

      (e) There is an increasing need for supported living arrangements for the elderly and a

1-16

continuing need for supported living arrangements for persons who are disabled and/or homeless.

1-17

      (f) Fair housing, and the potential of unequal treatment of individuals based on race,

1-18

ethnicity, age, disability, and family, must be given continuing attention.

2-19

      (g) Housing costs consume a disproportionate share of income for many Rhode

2-20

Islanders; housing affordability is a continuing problem, especially for first time home buyers and

2-21

lower and moderate income renters; the high cost of housing adversely affects the expansion of

2-22

Rhode Island's economy. Housing affordability and availability affect conditions of

2-23

homelessness. The high cost of housing and the lack of affordable, decent housing for low

2-24

income households is a source of hardship for very low income persons and families in Rhode

2-25

Island.

2-26

      (h) The Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation, which has provided

2-27

more than two decades of assistance in addressing issues of both the affordability of home

2-28

ownership and rental housing and the preservation of the housing stock for low and moderate

2-29

income persons, is facing future funding shortfalls and must either increase revenues or reduce

2-30

programs in order to remain viable.

2-31

      (i) The federal government has been reducing its commitment to housing since 1981, and

2-32

there is no indication that earlier levels of federal support for housing will be restored.

2-33

      (j) Public housing authorities, which rely on federal support that is being reconsidered,

2-34

have been and continue to be an important housing resource for low income families and the

2-35

elderly.

2-36

      (k) Rhode Island, unlike most other states, does not have an agency or department of

2-37

state government with comprehensive responsibility for housing.

2-38

      (l) It is necessary and desirable in order to protect that public health and to promote the

2-39

public welfare, to establish a housing resources agency and a housing resources commission for

2-40

the purposes of improving housing conditions, promoting housing affordability, engaging in

2-41

community development activities, and assisting the urban, suburban, and rural communities of

2-42

the state.

2-43

     (m) Homelessness has been on the rise according to the statewide homeless management

2-44

information system database;

2-45

     (n) According to the state department of administration, the state currently contributes

2-46

one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) in funding from the consolidated homeless fund

2-47

which is used for emergency expansion winter shelter across the state from November 1st to

2-48

March 31st each year;

2-49

     (o) The total funding needed for the emergency expansion winter shelter system is four

2-50

hundred thousand dollars ($400,000), therefore a shortfall of two hundred fifty thousand dollars

2-51

($250,000) exists. This justification is documented through the Rhode Island homeless

2-52

management information system showing that from 2011 to 2012 there were more individuals

2-53

staying in the adult shelter system longer (at an average of one hundred (100) days in 2011 =

3-1

319).

3-2

     42-128-5. Purposes. -- The purposes of the commission shall be:

3-3

      (1) To develop and promulgate state policies, and plans, for housing and housing

3-4

production and performance measures for housing programs established pursuant to state law.

3-5

      (2) To coordinate activities among state agencies and political subdivisions pertaining to

3-6

housing.

3-7

      (3) To promote the stability of and quality of life in communities and neighborhoods.

3-8

      (4) To provide opportunities for safe, sanitary, decent, adequate and affordable housing

3-9

in Rhode Island.

3-10

      (5) To encourage public-private partnerships that foster the production, rehabilitation,

3-11

development, maintenance, and improvement of housing and housing conditions, especially for

3-12

low and moderate income people.

3-13

      (6) To foster and support no-profit organizations, including community development

3-14

corporations, and their associations and intermediaries, that are engaged in providing and housing

3-15

related services.

3-16

      (7) To encourage and support partnerships between institutions of higher education and

3-17

neighborhoods to develop and retain quality, healthy housing and sustainable communities.

3-18

      (8) To facilitate private for-profit production and rehabilitation of housing for diverse

3-19

populations and income groups.

3-20

      (9) To provide, facilitate, and/or support the provisions of technical assistance.

3-21

     (10) To provide for a rental assistance and general supportive housing operating fund to

3-22

assist in providing safe and affordable housing to shelter residents, and, funding to provide for

3-23

expansion winter shelter operations while necessary. Funds will be administered by the

3-24

department of administration, office of housing and community development, through the

3-25

housing resources commission. They will be charged with drafting regulations to administer the

3-26

program and setting up a competitive request for proposal (RFP) process to determine the

3-27

maximum impact for distribution of funds.

3-28

     SECTION 2. There is hereby appropriated out of a dedicated funding stream of money in

3-29

the treasury appropriated for the fiscal year 2013-2014, the sum of three million, two hundred and

3-30

fifty thousand dollars ($3,250,000) for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act (three

3-31

million dollars ($3,000,000) for rental assistance and operating and two hundred fifty thousand

3-32

dollars ($250,000) for winter shelter expansion operations), and the state controller is hereby

3-33

authorized to draw his/her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum, or so

3-34

much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt by him/her of properly

4-1

authenticated vouchers.

4-2

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

=======

LC01676

========

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - RHODE ISLAND HOUSING

RESOURCES ACT OF 1998

***

5-1

     This act would add to the findings and purposes of the housing resource act as they

5-2

pertain to the needs of shelter residents, and provides for an appropriation for the fiscal year

5-3

2013-2014 in the amount of three million, two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($3,250,000).

5-4

     This act would take effect upon passage.

=======

LC01676

=======