Housing (Affordable Housing)

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 3033: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

SB 3033 amends Rhode Island's zoning laws to establish inclusionary zoning requirements for developments in municipalities, mandating that at least 15% of units in qualifying projects be affordable housing for at least 30 years. The bill allows developers to meet these requirements through on-site construction, off-site development, land donations, or fee payments, with density bonuses that permit additional market-rate units for each affordable unit provided. While the legislation sets statewide standards for affordable housing inclusion, it specifically grants the town of North Providence the authority to determine its own density bonus calculations based on local zoning conditions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates 15% affordable housing units in developments, directly advancing affordable housing access and inclusionary zoning.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Zoning

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 2696: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

SB 2696 proposes changes to the state's low and moderate income housing act, which governs how towns and cities provide affordable housing options. The bill would modify existing rules and requirements for affordable housing programs, though specific details of the amendments are not yet available in the official abstract. This legislation directly affects local municipalities and housing authorities that administer affordable housing initiatives. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process, having been introduced and referred to the Senate Housing and Municipal Government committee.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill modifies low and moderate income housing act to improve affordable housing options for towns and cities, suggesting strengthening of housing programs.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 5, 2026

SB 3151: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- HISTORIC PRESERVATION TAX CREDITS 2013

Increases historic tax credit to 30%, and up to 35%, depending on the amount of rental area available for multi-family housing, affordable rental units and units sold as affordable housing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases historic preservation tax credits, providing tax relief and encouraging affordable housing development through fiscal incentives.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill increases historic tax credits for affordable rental units and multi-family housing, directly supporting housing development and affordability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Credits Affordable Housing Historic Preservation

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 3160: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

Provides an eight percent (8%) tax rate for those properties that are encumbered by a deed restriction for low-income housing set at eight percent (80%) or sixty percent (60%) of adjusted median income established by HUD.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a tax rate for low-income housing properties, supporting affordable housing initiatives and public welfare programs.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes a tax rate for properties with low-income housing deed restrictions, indicating support for affordable housing initiatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Property Taxes

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 2894: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND HOUSING RESOURCES ACT OF 1998

Allows the town of Tiverton 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 HousingBill provides credit for affordable housing units in manufactured home communities, supporting affordable housing development and expansion.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 2898: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND HOUSING RESOURCES ACT OF 1998

Allows the town of North Providence 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 HousingBill provides housing unit credit for affordable manufactured homes in age-restricted communities, supporting affordable housing development.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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passed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 9, 2026

SB 2895: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

This bill amends Rhode Island zoning laws to allow the town of Smithfield to set its own density bonuses for developments that include affordable housing. The legislation establishes requirements for inclusionary zoning, mandating that at least 15% of units in qualifying developments remain affordable for 30 years, while also permitting municipalities to offer incentives like additional market-rate units or reduced lot sizes to encourage affordable housing. Developers can choose to build affordable units on-site, off-site, through land donations, or by paying a fee, though those opting for fees or off-site construction cannot receive density bonuses. The bill also sets minimum standards for affordable housing fees and outlines how municipalities must manage and allocate these funds for future affordable housing projects.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates 15% affordable housing units in developments and allows density bonuses to encourage affordable housing construction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 2917: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND HOUSING RESOURCES ACT OF 1998

Allows the town of Smithfield 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 HousingBill provides credit for affordable housing units in manufactured home communities, supporting affordable housing development and expansion.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 2628: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES -- MINIMUM PARKING REQUIREMENTS

SB 2628 establishes statewide limits on minimum off-street parking requirements for new housing and commercial developments. It prohibits municipalities from requiring more than one parking space per single-family home, half a space per multi-family unit, or two spaces per 1,000 square feet of commercial space. The bill exempts certain projects from parking mandates, including small homes under 1,200 square feet, commercial spaces under 3,000 square feet, affordable housing, historic district buildings, and child daycare centers. Municipalities must update their zoning codes by December 31, 2026, to comply, while retaining authority over bicycle parking, loading zones, and traffic studies.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts affordable housing from parking mandates and reduces requirements for multi-family units, lowering development costs for housing projects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Zoning

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 8017: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- LEVY AND ASSESSMENT OF LOCAL TAXES

Changes the assessment for residential property where forty percent (40%) of the dwellings are below eighty percent (80%) of statewide median income and thirty percent (30%) are below sixty percent (60%).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdjusts property tax assessments downward for areas with high low-income housing, providing tax relief to lower-income residents per bill's income thresholds.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAdjusts property tax assessments for areas with high low-income housing, reducing tax burden to support affordable housing development per income thresholds.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Affordable Housing Property Taxes

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