Housing

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 2695: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND HOUSING RESOURCES ACT OF 1998

Allows the town of Johnston to receive a one-half (1/2) credit for affordable housing units for manufactured homes in age restricted communities in conformance with all zoning laws and/or ordinances of the town.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllows town credit for affordable housing units in manufactured homes, incentivizing development while complying with zoning laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 7765: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

HB 7765 increases notice periods for landlords terminating month-to-month tenancies or raising rent in Rhode Island. It requires landlords to provide tenants with 60 days' written notice (up from 30 days) before termination or rent increases, and 120 days' notice for tenants aged 62 or older. This directly affects renters in month-to-month leases, giving them more time to adjust or find new housing. The bill amends the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to standardize notice requirements and forms, ensuring clearer communication about lease changes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends tenant notice periods from 30 to 60 days (120 for seniors), strengthening tenant protections under the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 8215: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RHODE ISLAND FAIR HOUSING PRACTICES ACT

HB 8215 would allow tenants with disabilities to formally request permission to keep emotional support animals in rental housing under Rhode Island's Fair Housing Practices Act. This directly affects renters with disabilities who rely on emotional support animals and landlords who manage rental properties. The key provision requires landlords to consider such requests without automatically denying them, aligning with fair housing standards. The bill does not guarantee approval but establishes a process for tenants to seek accommodations for their disability-related needs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects tenant rights for disability-related housing accommodations under fair housing law by requiring landlords to consider emotional support animal requests without automatic denial.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 7655: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Permits a tenant, at the tenant’s expense, to implement energy conservation measures to any dwelling or dwelling unit such as removable weather-stripping around doors and windows.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPermits tenant-installed energy conservation measures (e.g., weather-stripping), directly increasing residential energy efficiency per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill permits tenants to install removable energy conservation measures at their expense, directly enhancing tenant rights and reducing energy costs (a tenant protection under housing topic).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2621: AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- HOMELESSNESS EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

Creates a state-run pilot program in Rhode Island that provides paid, low-barrier employment to individuals experiencing homelessness for community beautification and cleanup projects while connecting participants to supportive services.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAddresses homelessness via employment program connecting to services, aligning with housing support indicators for homelessness85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates paid employment program for homeless individuals with supportive services, advancing job opportunities and workforce inclusion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 2587: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING--PARKING SPACES

Permits Tiverton to require two parking space for each studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom low- or moderate-income housing units upon the determination that limited or no local public transportation or off-street parking availability near these units.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRequires parking spaces for low/moderate-income housing, increasing development costs and potentially limiting affordability or development viability.65% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 7779: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

Permits but not directs a municipality to establish, by ordinance, certain requirements regarding accessory dwelling units regarding ownership for 5 years, non-family ADUs to be rented at affordable rates and limit size to 1,000 sq. ft.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly permits municipalities to require non-family ADUs to be rented at affordable rates, directly advancing affordable housing initiatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SB 2469: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

Amends the zoning ordinances to allow the town to restrict occupancy to one unrelated person per bedroom in a dwelling, up to a five (5) bedroom unit. Units with more than five (5) bedrooms may be limited to five (5) unrelated persons per unit.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRestricts occupancy to one unrelated person per bedroom, reducing housing affordability and development potential by limiting shared housing options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Zoning

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 7762: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- FAIR CHANCE IN HOUSING CREDIT REPORTS ACT

Establishes the fair chance in housing credit reports act to provide standards for which a credit report can be used in considering a rental application.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes housing access for individuals with criminal records, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism through stable housing85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes standards for credit report use in rental applications to prevent housing discrimination, directly supporting tenant protections and fair access to housing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2681: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- HOUSING -- STATE-FUNDED RENTAL SUBSIDY PROGRAM

SB 2681 would establish a state-funded rental subsidy program for renters in towns and cities. The bill creates a new state program to provide direct financial assistance toward rental payments for eligible residents. It does not specify eligibility criteria, funding levels, or administrative details in the provided abstract. This bill directly affects qualifying renters and the state government responsible for administering the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state-funded rental subsidy program, directly increasing government spending on housing assistance as a public service.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes state-funded rental subsidies for eligible renters, directly advancing affordable housing access through financial assistance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Renters Tenant Rights

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