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

This bill amends Rhode Island's low and moderate income housing laws to clarify definitions and streamline the approval process for developers building affordable housing. It establishes new categories for counting affordable units, including rental properties with federal vouchers and certain mobile homes, while also defining what constitutes municipal subsidies like tax abatements and zoning incentives. The legislation allows developers to submit a single application for comprehensive permits when at least 25% of a project is affordable housing, provided the city or town does not already have high levels of affordable housing with inclusionary zoning. These changes aim to make it clearer how different types of housing contribute to local affordable housing goals and simplify the permitting process for qualifying projects.