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

This bill updates the legal definition of low and moderate income housing in Rhode Island to include rental properties secured by federal government vouchers, such as Section 8. By making this change, the law requires cities and towns to count these voucher-assisted units toward their local requirements for affordable housing inventory. Effective July 1, 2024, municipalities must verify that these vouchers are active and in good standing before counting them as one full housing unit. This adjustment aims to ensure that federally subsidized rental assistance is recognized alongside other forms of government-subsidized housing in local planning and zoning regulations.