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HB 8468

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND HOUSING RESOURCES ACT OF 1998

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Chippendale and 5 co-sponsors

Rhode Island HB 8468 establishes a five-year strategic plan and guidelines to expand affordable, year-round housing, including higher-density, mixed-use development, with a four-ye

05/26/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 8468

Overview

HB 8468 (Rhode Island, 2026) amends the Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1998 to advance a comprehensive, state-backed strategy for housing production and rehabilitation. The bill emphasizes a five-year strategic plan, expanded guidelines for higher-density and mixed-use development, enhanced identification of suitable sites, and a pilot program to test alternative underwriting criteria for affordable for-sale housing. It also includes a technical adjustment for Coventry regarding affordable housing credit for manufactured homes in age-restricted communities.

Main purpose and intent

  • Establish a more coordinated, long-range approach to producing and rehabilitating year-round housing across Rhode Island.
  • Align state housing goals with local planning, zoning, and development capabilities.
  • Expand tools to increase affordable housing supply, including density incentives, mixed-use development guidelines, and innovative funding/underwriting mechanisms.
  • Pilot alternative underwriting criteria to expand access to affordable for-sale housing for moderate-income households, with sunset provisions and evaluation reporting.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 42-128-8.1 amendments:

    • Reaffirms the Rhode Island Housing Resources Act’s intent to create a comprehensive housing strategy applicable to all municipalities.
    • Calls for a five-year strategic plan developed by the Executive Office of Housing in partnership with the statewide planning program, to be adopted as part of the state guide plan.
    • Requires quantified goals, measurable milestones, implementation activities, and standards for production/rehabilitation of year-round housing targeting seniors, workers, students, low/moderate-income households, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable populations.
    • Defines “affordable housing” with income- and occupancy-based standards, including specific adjustments for New Shoreham and Coventry, and special credit rules for manufactured/mobile homes in certain circumstances.
    • Introduces several defined terms (e.g., affordable housing plan, approved affordable housing plan, moderate-income households, year-round housing, seasonal housing).
    • Mandates updating the strategic plan at least every five years and aligning local comprehensive plans accordingly.
    • Requires guidelines for higher-density development, including inclusionary zoning, density bonuses, mixed-use development, and infrastructure/land-use considerations.
    • Requires a GIS map identifying suitable areas for higher-density development.
    • Authorizes a four-year pilot program (ending Dec 31, 2029) to explore alternative underwriting criteria for affordable for-sale units, limited to 38% of gross household income. Units meeting low-/moderate-income criteria would be eligible under the pilot; the program must be reported on annually in the integrated housing report.
    • Allows flexible use of mobile/manufactured homes as affordable housing under specified conditions; Coventry-specific credit adjustment and New Shoreham special accessibility/constraints noted.

  • Section 1, § final provisions:

    • Coventry-specific adjustment: allows a one-half credit for affordable housing units consisting of manufactured homes in age-restricted communities, provided zoning and ordinances are satisfied.

  • Section 2, Effective Date:

    • The act takes effect upon passage.

Who/what is affected

  • State level: Executive Office of Housing and the Statewide Planning Program (responsible for developing the five-year strategic plan, guidelines, and GIS mapping).
  • Municipal level: Cities and towns must align comprehensive plans with the adopted strategic plan and guidelines; local affordable housing plans may satisfy the strategic plan requirements temporarily under specified conditions.
  • Housing stakeholders: developers, lenders, housing advocates, and residents—especially older adults, workers at various income levels, students, people with disabilities, and vulnerable populations.
  • Coventry: specific credit adjustment for manufactured homes in age-restricted communities.
  • New Shoreham: special affordability eligibility standards and counting rules for long-term housing inventory.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Strategic plan: To be developed every five years as part of the state guide plan, with updates as needed.
  • Local conformity: Towns/cities must conform their comprehensive plans to the strategic plan per timeline in § 45-22.2-10(f); towns with approved affordable housing plans may be deemed in compliance temporarily.
  • Guidelines: The Executive Office of Housing must promulgate guidelines at least every five years for higher-density development and mixed-use projects.
  • GIS mapping: The statewide program must maintain a GIS map identifying suitable higher-density sites, to be used in planning.
  • Pilot program: A four-year pilot for alternative underwriting criteria (ending December 31, 2029) with annual reporting on status and outcomes in the integrated housing report.
  • Effective date: Immediate upon passage.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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