Speaker Shekarchi’s legislation to amend Low and Moderate Housing Act passes House
WARWICK, RI – Legislation sponsored by House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi to amend Rhode Island’s Low and Moderate Income Housing Act was passed by the House today. The legislation is part of Speaker Shekarchi’s 14-bill package of legislation to address Rhode Island’s housing crisis.
“Rhode Island is in dire need of more housing. The package of legislation my colleagues and I have put forth will make it easier to develop housing by eliminating unnecessary barriers, and this bill is one more tool in our toolbox,” said Speaker Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick). “When it comes to the development process, time is money. Streamlining the permitting process will cut some of the costs associated with building more homes, while expediting the timeframe for those new homes to be built.”
The bill (2023-H6081A) would provide amendments relative to low- and moderate-income housing and modify and clarify the procedure for review of applications to build housing. It would streamline the process of permitting from three steps to two steps, not including pre-application, to follow the purpose of the comprehensive permit process, and sets forth necessary submission items at each stage of the permitting process. The legislation retains current standards, but provides greater clarity for the review of applications.
The legislation does not alter the Low and Moderate Income Housing Act’s requirement that cities and towns maintain 10 percent of their year-round housing stock as affordable. According to data from HousingWorksRI’s 2022 Housing Fact Book, only six municipalities in Rhode Island have achieved the goals set forth in the Act.
Voters hit the polls today for off-year elections that many expect could be an indicator of what's to come in the 2026 midterms. In New York City's race for mayor, Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani maintains his commanding lead in the polls over Independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. The polls have tightened in the race to be New Jersey's next governor, with Democrat Mikie [[ Mikey ]] Sherrill's lead over Republican Jack Ciattarelli [[ CHIT-ah-relly ]] narrowing. In Virginia, Democrat Abigail Spanberger has maintained a double-digit lead over Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears in that race for governor and in California, voters will decide whether to re-draw their congressional maps. 
