Rhode Island House Bill H5690

Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/26/25
• Refer: 2/26/25

Caption

This act would repeal the chapter entitled "Low and Moderate Income Housing".

Impact

The repeal of this chapter is likely to have significant consequences on state housing policy. Supporters argue that it will lead to more streamlined processes, potentially accelerating the construction of much-needed housing units. They believe that local governments may have more flexibility and responsiveness to community needs, while also potentially tapping into incentives such as density bonuses to encourage developments. However, this change could lead to increased reliance on local initiatives, which might not uniformly support low-income housing based on varying municipal priorities.

Summary

House Bill H5690 aims to repeal the Rhode Island chapter entitled 'Low and Moderate Income Housing.' This act is intended to address the existing housing crisis by simplifying the process for municipalities to develop low-income housing while also removing what some see as bureaucratic hurdles. The bill recognizes the acute shortage of affordable housing within the state and emphasizes the need for action to ensure availability for low- and moderate-income residents. The repeal will eliminate previously established guidelines that required cities and towns to fund and promote low-income housing projects, thereby shifting responsibility to the municipal level more directly.

Contention

The main points of contention surrounding HB H5690 include concerns about whether repealing established housing regulations might escalate housing inequities across different municipalities. Critics assert that without mandated state oversight, some municipalities may neglect affordable housing measures in favor of more lucrative developments. They express worries that local governments may lack the resources or political will to effectively manage the anticipated housing projects, resulting in further gentrification and reduced access to affordable living options for low-income individuals and families. Advocates for low-income housing fear that this repeal could exacerbate existing injustices in housing availability.