(The Center Square) — Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee has signed a package of bills aimed at easing the state's housing crunch by spurring the much-needed development of new homes.
The 14 bills signed by McKee on Thursday includes a mix of policy changes aimed at cutting through municipal red tape by preventing cities and towns from adding conditions around frontage and setbacks, or infrastructure for converting accessory structures like garages into housing, allowing modular homes to be built across the state, and provides incentives to redevelop abandoned properties, among other initiatives.
"Housing is a pathway to better health outcomes, good-paying jobs, generational wealth, and a stronger economy for our state," McKee said in a statement. "I’m proud to sign these bills which will streamline production and cut through the red tape to spur more development across Rhode Island."
A key provision will give homeowners the right to develop accessory dwelling units within the existing footprint of their structures or on any lot larger than 20,000 square feet, as long as the design satisfies building code, size limits and infrastructure requirements. Under current law, accessory units or "granny flats" were only permitted by property owners’ direct or disabled relatives and were restricted to owner-occupied properties.
"One of the drivers of our housing crisis is the low construction rate in Rhode Island," said state Rep. June Speakman, a Warren Democrat and the bill's primary sponsor. "Our state has the lowest per-capita construction rate in the whole country. We need to be creative and be willing to allow construction of housing, particularly affordable, moderate and small units like ADUs."
Another bill signed into law by McKee allows cities and towns to count mobile home units as affordable housing if they meet certain requirements, including permanent housing. Mobile homes can be applied toward the goal of 10% of a municipality’s housing stock to be low- and moderate-income housing, with a half credit per qualifying mobile home, under the plan.
It also authorizes state judges to give priority to buyers who are willing to add deed restrictions for nuisance properties in receivership if they designate the property as low- or moderate-income housing or owner-occupied housing or make other commitments to keep it affordable.
"It’s critical we continue to work collaboratively, act urgently, and embrace innovative approaches to make housing accessible and affordable for all Rhode Islanders," state Sen. Meghan E. Kallman, a Providence Democrat and co-sponsor of the bill, said in a statement.
The housing package also amends state law to limit local regulation of coastal wetlands and freshwater wetlands beyond the requirements of the state environmental regulations to ease barriers to housing development.
Rhode Island officials also point out that a $120 million housing bond, authorized as part of this year’s state budget, will go before the state's voters in the November elections.
Legislative leaders say they plan to revisit the issue in the next session with a package of new proposals to boost housing production.
"The status quo has not been working in Rhode Island, but we are gradually changing it," House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi said in remarks during Thursday's bill signing. "We still have a long way to go, but we will keep moving the needle forward."
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