Establishes a housing land bank program with the goal of creating affordable housing in the State of Rhode Island. The housing land bank would have the authority to buy, receive and hold property in furtherance of this goal.
Authorizes the department of housing to issue bonds in the amount of $50,000,000 with a maturity date not to exceed 20 years, to establish the housing production revolving fund, to promote the development of housing and ensuring more affordable housing.
Provides that any disaster response worker shall, in the course of their duties, be considered a state employee under the provisions of chapters 29 through 38 of title 28 and under ยง 9-31-8 of the general laws.
Provides that architects and other authorized disaster response workers be considered, in the course of performing their duties, state workers and be entitled to all rights in like manner as state employees.
Provides amendments relative to the permitting authority of, and acceptable forms of financial security permissible for construction and/or improvement guarantees relating to the completion of required public improvements.
Creates the division of civil representation within the department of housing and require civil representation by a Designated Legal Organization to provide legal representation to all tenants who qualify in eviction proceedings.
Recognizes tenants' unions and provides a procedure whereby the housing resources commission shall administer a hearing process for consolidated complaints filed by tenants' unions, pertaining to the rights and obligations of tenants and landlords.
HOUSE RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY THE ABILITY OF THE RHODE ISLAND EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM TO OFFER DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS WITHIN THE STATE TO PROVIDE A SUPPLY AND A PIPELINE OF PLANNERS, PLANNING TECHNICIANS, AND PLANNING STAFF (Creates an 11 member commission to study the ability of the RI educational system to offer degrees or certificates to provide a supply/pipeline of planners, planning technicians and staff, and report back by January 1, 2025, and expire on June 30, 2025.)
Provides amendments to the membership provisions of planning boards or commissions and would enable municipalities to establish "combined review boards" to replace separate planning and zoning boards.
Makes several amendments relative to manufactured homes, including adding a definition for manufactured home and a provision allowing for certain manufactured homes to be considered a single-family home if on a lot zone for such use.
Amends provisions relative to the application of zoning ordinances pertaining to wetland buffers to projects for development, redevelopment, construction or rehabilitation.
Requires the department of administration to publish a report to the speaker of the house, president of the senate, and secretary of housing evaluating the cost to establish and maintain a statewide geographic information system.
Requires a housing code enforcement officer to give a copy of any housing code violation notice to all tenants of the building affected by a housing code violation along with any hearing dates scheduled for the violation.