Rhode Island House Bill H8183

Rhode Island 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/28/22
• Refer: 4/28/22

Caption

Rhode Island Housing And Mortgage Finance Corporation

Impact

This legislation could significantly impact state laws concerning housing and rental assistance, providing a structured approach to supporting low-income tenants. By establishing a centralized database, the bill aims to streamline the process of finding suitable housing that aligns with government assistance programs, which may lead to improved housing stability for vulnerable populations in Rhode Island. The directory would also help inform landlords of their responsibilities and the importance of participating in government assistance programs.

Summary

House Bill H8183 aims to enhance transparency and accessibility in the rental housing market by mandating the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation to create and maintain a statewide directory of municipal and private rental properties that accept government-subsidized housing vouchers. By making this information available online and updating it monthly, the bill intends to facilitate easier access for renters who rely on vouchers for housing assistance, ensuring they are informed about available options in their communities.

Contention

While the bill has been introduced with the intention of improving housing access, potential points of contention could arise from landlords who may oppose additional administrative burdens associated with maintaining updated listings in the directory. Additionally, some critics may argue that the effectiveness of such a directory depends on comprehensive participation from rental property owners, and there may be concerns regarding privacy and data management in sharing such information publicly.