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SB 611

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

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jake Bissaillon and 3 co-sponsors

Rhode Island law signed requiring towns and cities to expand low and moderate-income housing supply through new development mechanisms or incentives.

06/24/2025 Signed by Governor
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 611

Legislative bill overview

SB 611 is Rhode Island legislation designed to increase the supply of low and moderate-income housing in towns and cities. The bill has been signed into law and creates mechanisms or incentives to facilitate affordable housing development across the state's municipalities.

Why is this important

Housing affordability is a critical issue in Rhode Island, where median home prices and rents have risen significantly while wages have not kept pace, pricing out low and moderate-income residents. This legislation addresses a genuine market failure where private developers have insufficient incentive to build affordable units without government intervention or support.

Potential points of contention

  • Local control vs. state mandate: Towns may resist state-imposed housing requirements or lose zoning authority, viewing it as an intrusion on municipal self-governance and property rights
  • Development cost and subsidy mechanisms: Unclear how affordable units will be funded—whether through tax incentives, public spending, or mandatory developer contributions—which affects business competitiveness and taxpayer burden
  • Long-term affordability enforcement: Questions remain about how long units must stay affordable and whether restrictions impose unsustainable burdens on property owners or future residents seeking to purchase homes

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

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