Title 42
State Affairs and Government

Chapter 113
Rhode Island Housing and Conservation Trust Fund Act

§ 42-113-3. Definitions.

As used in this chapter:

(1) “Agricultural land” means any land which is actively devoted to agricultural or horticultural use including, but not limited to, a commercial enterprise or community garden enterprise which has as its primary purpose horticulture, viticulture, viniculture, floriculture, forestry, composting, stabling of horses, dairy farming, or aquaculture, or the raising of livestock, fur-bearing animals, poultry, or bees.

(2) “Board” means the Rhode Island housing and conservation board established by this chapter.

(3) “Eligible activity” means any activity that will carry out either or both of the dual purposes of creating and sustaining low- and moderate-income housing and conserving and protecting important Rhode Island lands, including activities that will encourage or assist:

(i) The preservation, rehabilitation, or development of residential dwelling units which are affordable to low- or moderate-income Rhode Island households;

(ii) The protection of important wildlife habitat and important natural areas;

(iii) The preservation of historic properties or resources;

(iv) The protection of areas suited for outdoor public recreational activity;

(v) The retention of agricultural land for agricultural use; and

(vi) The development of capacity on the part of an eligible applicant to engage in an eligible activity.

(4) “Eligible applicant” means any municipality or department of state government of the state, nonprofit organization qualifying under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3) or limited equity cooperative housing corporation, a company that is licensed to do business in the State of Rhode Island where the proposed application creates or preserves housing that serves or intends to serve low- and moderate-income households; or any municipality or department of state government of this state, nonprofit organization qualifying under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3) that conserves or protects important natural areas, wildlife habitat, open lands, or agricultural lands.

(5) “Fund” means the Rhode Island housing and conservation trust fund established by this chapter.

(6) “Historic property or resource” means any building, structure, object, district, area, or site that is significant in the history, architecture, archeology, or culture of this state, its communities, or the nation.

(7) “Important natural area” means any area containing one or more state or federal endangered or threatened species as defined in the general laws or any area essential to maintaining the ecological diversity or natural heritage of the state.

(8) “Low- or moderate-income households” means households that meet the definition of low- and moderate-income under § 45-53-3.