Low-impact solution to affordable housing needs
Legislation sponsored by House
Commission on Housing Affordability Chairwoman June S. Speakman and Sen.
Victoria Gu to help Rhode Islanders to develop accessory dwelling units (ADUs)
on their property has been signed into law. The legislation is intended as a
way to boost production of an affordable housing option.
Before the bill was passed, Sen. Gu met with RISD
students who came up with ADU designs for Rhode Island
ADUs, sometimes referred to as in-law apartments or granny flats, are accessories to existing housing, created as a conversion of part of a house (such as a walkout basement), an attachment to a house or a smaller, detached dwelling.
They have become increasingly popular
around the country in recent years as states and municipalities balance the
need to create more housing while preserving the character of residential
neighborhoods. Seniors, especially, have taken to ADUs as a way to downsize
while continuing to live independently in their community.
Here is one of those designs (RISD)
The legislation (2024-H 7062A, 2024-S 2998A) was
written in collaboration with stakeholders and advocates, including AARP, for
which increasing production of ADUs has been a primary policy goal for several
years.
The new law, which
took effect immediately when Gov. Dan McKee signed it June 25, provides
homeowners statewide the right to develop a single ADU on an owner-occupied
property to accommodate a disabled family member, or within the existing
footprint of their structures or on any lot larger than 20,000 square feet, provided that the ADU’s design satisfies building code, size
limits and infrastructure requirements.
The
measure is meant to encourage the development of rental units that are likely
to be more affordable than many other apartments, and also to provide
opportunities for homeowners with extra space to generate income that helps
them maintain ownership of that property.
“One of the drivers of our housing crisis is the low construction rate in Rhode Island. 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,” said Chairwoman Speakman (D-Dist. 68, Warren, Bristol).
“Our commission learned that there are many
people in Rhode Island who already have space that they’d like to use in this
way, but our laws make it complicated. This bill removes some of the obstacles
to building ADUs while respecting municipal land use policies.”
Said Senator Gu (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown), “ADUs offer the ‘missing middle:’ housing that is smaller, more affordable and smartly repurposes our existing buildings and garages.
Homeowners can be a part of the solution to the housing crisis by creating or converting a garage, basement or shed into an ADU and offering it as a long-term rental. Then they have the benefit of receiving some additional income or housing a loved one, friend or onsite caregiver. It’s a win-win.”
To
ensure that the bill achieves its goal of housing Rhode Islanders, the
legislation prohibits ADUs constructed under this provision from being used as
short-term rentals, and streamlines the permitting process.
The
sponsors added that, because ADUs are small and often can be created without
even altering the footprint of the existing building, they don’t change the
character of their neighborhood.
The
legislation was identified as a high priority this year for House Speaker K.
Joseph Shekarchi in the House’s effort to address the state’s housing crisis.
Speaker Shekarchi was the House bill’s top cosponsor.
“We must reframe how we think about housing as
we grow older, and ADUs are part of the equation,” said Catherine Taylor, AARP
Rhode Island state director. “Aging in community – where 87% of Rhode Islanders
45 and older have told us they wish to be – is possible if homes can be
modified to accommodate changing needs. Our cities and towns must have housing
options that are suitable for differing incomes, ages and life stages. ADUs are
an important way to accomplish this goal.”
Along with AARP, the bill was supported by
numerous organizations and agencies, including Rhode Island Housing, Grow Smart
RI and Housing Network RI.