Creates a state program and fund to finance adaptive reuse and mixed-use housing projects, requires affordable units and labor standards, and provides oversight to expand housing until 2035.
SB 2705 requires towns and cities to mandate that affordable housing units be included in certain new residential developments. It directly affects local governments, which must update zoning ordinances, and developers building qualifying projects. The key provision is that developers must provide a specified percentage of affordable units in eligible new construction, without requiring additional subsidies. The bill is still in early stages, having been introduced to the Senate Housing and Municipal Government committee on February 27, 2026.
ROOM) ACT (Expands access to inherently affordable housing by re-legalizing co-living/single-room occupancy (SRO) and shared dwelling models of many types.
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.
HB 7153 changes the fee-in-lieu payment required for developers who opt not to build affordable housing units on-site. Instead of standard fees, developers must pay 150% of the average development cost for a single-family home or condo unit (with a minimum $40,000 per unit). This fee must be used exclusively by municipalities to fund new affordable housing for households earning 80% or less of the area median income. The bill affects developers in qualifying projects (10+ units) and local governments responsible for managing these funds through dedicated housing boards.
Authorized the town of Tiverton to require that fifty percent (50%) of new construction be affordable housing units if there is less than ten percent (10%) of affordable housing in the town.
Creates an affordable housing business tax credit as well as eliminate sales tax on any materials purchased for use in the renovation of affordable rental housing.
Expands Rhode Island Housing’s authority to revise the qualified allocation plan to prioritize cost-efficient affordable housing production and total units, while reducing the scoring weight of non-production-related criteria.
SB 2043 requires owners of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) not occupied by family members or caretakers to rent them only at rates considered "affordable" under existing state law (§ 42-128-8.1). This directly affects ADU owners who rent to non-family tenants, mandating compliance with statewide affordable housing definitions. The bill also prohibits ADUs from being used for tourist rentals and voids private restrictions (like HOA rules) that conflict with these requirements. It does not change ADU construction rules but ensures rental rates for non-family-occupied units align with state affordability standards.
Allows a municipality to set its own conveyance tax rate for residential properties sold in excess of $900,000.00 at $10 per $500. Provides collected taxes to be in a restricted account and distributed within 2 years for affordable housing.
