Housing

passed · Rhode Island · House May 22, 2026

HB 8000: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS

HB 8000 requires local agencies to provide at least 15 days' written notice to people living in outdoor encampments on public property before removing or relocating them. This applies to homeless individuals and their belongings in temporary shelters, directly affecting those residing in such encampments. Exceptions to the notice requirement include immediate public safety risks (like active construction sites, environmental hazards, or infrastructure repairs). The bill mandates agencies also notify local homelessness outreach services when providing notice, unless one of the five safety exceptions applies. It takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires 15-day notice before relocating homeless individuals from encampments, directly protecting vulnerable residents and addressing homelessness through tenant rights safeguards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights

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in committee · Rhode Island · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 7798: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- FIRST TIME HOME BUYER SAVINGS PROGRAM ACT

Establishes the first time home buyer savings program act. Allows modifications to federal adjusted gross income for $50,000 in contributions and $150,000 of interest and dividends included in federal adjusted gross income.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax exclusion for first-time homebuyers' contributions/interest, providing tax relief to middle-income households per tax relief indicator.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes first-time home buyer savings program with tax incentives, directly advancing affordable housing accessibility through homeowner savings support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 7764: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

HB 7764 prohibits landlords from using computer algorithms that rely on secret competitor data (like other landlords' rent prices or occupancy rates) to set or adjust residential rent. It directly affects residential landlords, property managers, and agents who use such tools to determine rent amounts. The law bans this practice starting January 1, 2027, with limited exemptions for federal housing programs and basic internal record-keeping. This change aims to prevent opaque, data-driven rent increases based on nonpublic market information. The bill does not restrict algorithms used solely for historical market reporting or compliance with government housing programs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlords from using secret algorithms to set rent, enhancing tenant transparency and protection against opaque pricing practices.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2579: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

SB 2579 increases the notice period landlords must provide to terminate month-to-month tenancies in Rhode Island. For standard month-to-month tenants, landlords must give at least 30 days' written notice before termination; for tenants aged 62 or older, the notice period extends to 120 days. This directly affects renters in month-to-month leases, providing more time to find new housing or address lease issues. The bill amends the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to standardize these notice requirements without changing rent increase procedures.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends notice period to 120 days for seniors, strengthening tenant protections under Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 8193: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- REAL ESTATE CONVEYANCE TAX

Allows a municipality to set its own conveyance tax rate for residential properties sold in excess of $900,000.00 at $10 per $500. Provides collected taxes to be in a restricted account and distributed within 2 years for affordable housing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates targeted real estate tax on high-value properties, directing revenue to affordable housing - a dedicated funding mechanism for public service.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates conveyance tax revenue from high-value sales be used exclusively for affordable housing programs within 2 years, directly funding housing initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Taxes

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 8108: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Limits rent increases to 4% annually, but allows an additional increase for taxes, insurance, or health and safety costs if the landlord gets an exemption from the secretary of housing, and provides tenants civil remedies for violations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits rent increases to 4% annually with tenant remedies, strengthening tenant protections and affordability per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Rhode Island · House May 29, 2026

HB 8032: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Eliminates mandated housing densities/density bonuses for public drinking water supply watersheds/groundwater. Requires densities not exceed water availability, introduce pollution, stay within public water or sewer system capacity limits.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill restricts housing density in watersheds to prevent pollution and ensure water availability, directly aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingEliminates density bonuses for housing in watersheds, restricting development to water capacity limits and potentially limiting affordable housing options.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Water Quality Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning

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signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7778: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING

Amends the current law on low-income housing to include moderate-income housing and eliminates the income percentages used to determine qualifications for low or moderate income housing.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands low-income housing eligibility to include moderate-income, removes restrictive income thresholds, increasing accessibility for housing programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 8015: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND HOUSING RESOURCES ACT OF 1998 -- COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING PRODUCTION AND REHABILITATION ACT OF 2004

Affordable housing includes an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) where it’s a long-term rental unit in a municipality with no ordinance requiring a minimum lot size for ADUs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly includes ADUs as affordable housing, promoting development by removing lot size barriers in municipalities without such ordinances.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 2578: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

Permits but not directs a municipality to establish, by ordinance, certain requirements regarding accessory dwelling units regarding ownership for 5 years, non-family ADUs to be rented at affordable rates and limit size to 1,000 sq. ft.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates affordable rental rates for non-family ADUs, directly increasing affordable housing supply through zoning requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Zoning

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