HB 8006 establishes a special 8% property tax rate for qualifying affordable housing in Rhode Island, instead of standard local tax rates. To qualify, properties must have legal agreements restricting rents to 30% of tenant income for households at or below 80% of area median income (for 40% of units) or 60% AMI (for 30% of units). Conversions of existing non-residential buildings to housing qualify until 2037, with tax rates gradually increasing from 8% to 12% over 30 years. This directly affects property owners of qualifying affordable housing and local governments setting tax policies.
HB 8109 would prohibit landlords from evicting tenants from residential housing without a valid legal reason, directly affecting both landlords and renters in rental properties. The bill prevents landlords from removing tenants or attempting to exclude them from their homes, requiring just cause for any eviction. Key provisions include banning no-cause evictions and establishing that landlords must have a legally recognized justification, such as nonpayment of rent or lease violations, to seek removal. This bill aims to strengthen tenant protections by limiting arbitrary displacement in residential housing.
HB 8113 (2026) requires residential landlords to pay interest on security deposits held for tenants. This directly affects landlords who collect security deposits and tenants who provide them. The key provision mandates that landlords pay interest on these deposits, likely calculated at a specified rate, though the exact rate isn't detailed in the abstract. The bill is currently in the introduction stage (referred to House Judiciary on 02/27/2026) and has not yet been voted on or enacted.
This resolution appropriates $3,000,000 from the state treasury for fiscal year 2026-2027 to Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc. (RILS), a nonprofit providing legal aid to vulnerable Rhode Islanders. The funding directly supports RILS’s work assisting low-income residents, domestic violence victims, veterans, and seniors with critical issues like housing, food security, family safety, and employment rights. The appropriation allows RILS to maintain its statewide services, which historically handle thousands of cases annually to help clients achieve stability and self-sufficiency.
HB 8111 would allow tenants to have certain eviction records sealed, making them inaccessible to future landlords or background checks. This directly affects tenants who faced evictions under specific qualifying circumstances, such as disputes over repairs or non-payment due to financial hardship. The key mechanism requires tenants to petition a court to seal records after meeting eligibility criteria, removing them from public access. The bill aims to provide a fresh start for tenants by limiting the long-term impact of past eviction cases.
Prohibits applications filed in the town of Tiverton, for comprehensive permit projects, for low- and moderate-income housing, to include accessory dwelling units.
SB 2588 allows the town of Tiverton to set its own density bonuses for housing developments under inclusionary zoning rules, rather than following the standard statewide requirement. The bill amends zoning laws to require 15% affordable housing in developments of 10+ units, with a standard density bonus of one market-rate unit per affordable unit. However, Tiverton is specifically exempted from this standard and may determine its density bonus based on its existing zoning regulations. This directly affects Tiverton developers and residents by giving the town flexibility in how it incentivizes affordable housing. The bill does not change statewide inclusionary zoning rules but provides a local option for Tiverton.
SB 2575 establishes new guidelines for local governments in towns and cities regarding how they can restrict residential recovery houses. These facilities are housing designed to support individuals recovering from substance use disorders. The bill allows municipalities to place specific limitations on where these houses can be located, aiming to balance community concerns with the needs of residents in recovery. By setting clear rules for zoning ordinances, the legislation provides a framework for cities to regulate the placement of such housing without banning it entirely.
SB 2699 would give the town of Johnston authority to set density bonuses (incentives for denser development) based on its existing zoning rules. This bill specifically affects Johnston's local planning decisions by allowing the town to tailor these incentives to its current zoning framework. It does not apply to other municipalities or change broader state zoning laws. The bill is currently in the introduction stage, referred to the Senate Housing and Municipal Government committee.
Amends the Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act to clarify housing-status enforcement, ban discriminatory housing notices, align state law with federal standards and remove a ban on public discussion of fair housing cases.
