Bill is part of Speaker Shekarchi’s 2024 legislative package addressing the housing crisis in Rhode Island
“Due to various factors over many years, our cities and towns have been unable
to meet the 10 percent affordable housing stock mandate, which in turn hurts
our low-income residents and families. This bill will bring many of our
municipalities into compliance with the Low and Moderate Income Housing Act
while also providing crucial housing for our state’s residents,” said
Representative McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett).
The legislation would allow municipalities to count mobile home units as
affordable housing if they meet certain requirements, including that they are
permanent housing. Mobile homes could be applied toward the goal of 10% of a
municipality’s housing stock to be low- and moderate-income housing, with ½
credit per qualifying mobile home.
In order to count as affordable housing under the bill, a mobile home must constitute a primary residence of the occupant or occupants, be located within a community owned by the residents or on land owned by the occupant, and comply with the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration.
