2025 -- H 6068

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LC000314

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

     Introduced By: Representatives Noret, Corvese, Finkelman, Read, Dawson, Fascia, and
Morales

     Date Introduced: March 12, 2025

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 45-53 of the General Laws entitled "Low and Moderate Income

Housing" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     45-53-14.1. Reporting by municipalities of single-family low- or moderate-income

housing.

     (a) The department of housing ("department"), created pursuant to § 42-64.34-1, in concert

with Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation ("corporation"), created pursuant to

§ 42-55-4, shall maintain:

     (1) An online database ("database") of rental units and single-family households available

for rent or sale that would be considered low- or moderate-income housing.

     (2) A list of people and their email addresses and/or phone numbers who are interested in

renting or purchasing low- or moderate-income housing who have signed up with the department

to receive email or text notices of available units for rent or sale.

     (b) Each municipality within the state shall provide the following information to the

department monthly commencing December 31, 2025:

     (1) Current, updated information on any known inventory of single-family low- or

moderate-income housing or rental units in existence and/or under construction and available or

soon to be available for purchase or rent; and

     (2) The contact person or entity and contact information pertaining to properties available

for purchase or rent.

     (c) The department shall provide monthly updates of available housing inventory collected

pursuant to subsection (b) of this section to any person registered pursuant to subsection (a)(2) of

this section by way of email or text to the email address or phone number registered with the

department.

     (d) Any developer issued a certificate of occupancy by any city or town for property

considered low- or moderate-income property and any realtor listing a property for rent or sale that

is considered low- or moderate-income property shall provide the location of the property and any

additional information the department may require with the department.

     (e) The department shall provide a report to the speaker of the house and senate president

annually by January 31 of the number of single-family low- or moderate-income housing properties

and or rentals in existence and under construction, indexed by municipality, for rent or purchase.

     (f) Notice of available statewide rental units and housing collected pursuant to this section

shall be provided monthly to each municipality and municipal housing authority in order to be

made available for public observation in electronic or paper form on site.

     (g) The information required by subsection (b) of this section shall be made available to

the public without delay on the department's website by April 2, 2026, and updated monthly

thereafter.

     (h) The department is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out

the provisions of this section.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

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     This act would require municipalities to report to the Rhode Island department of housing

regarding single-family low- or moderate-income housing available to rent or own which

information would then be made available to the public on the department's website and emailed

to interested parties who have provide their address or phone number to the department.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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