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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lou DiPalma and 1 co-sponsor

SB 2585 requires RI Housing Authority to biannually verify and document Tiverton’s affordable housing stock to support planning and housing policy decisions.

05/12/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Overview

Bill: SB 2585

Session: 2026, Rhode Island

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

Introduced: February 13, 2026

Sponsors: Senators DiPalma and Felag (co-sponsors)

Referred to: Senate Housing & Municipal Government

Status: Scheduled for hearing/consideration (as of May 12, 2026 action)

Purpose and Intent

The bill aims to strengthen the tracking and verification of affordable housing stock in Tiverton. It requires the Rhode Island Housing Authority (RIHA) to actively verify and document the count of affordable housing units in Tiverton twice per year. The objective is to ensure accurate, up-to-date data on the town’s affordable housing stock to inform planning, policy decisions, and compliance with state housing goals.

Key Provisions

Creation of new requirement: 45-53-17. Affordable housing stock in Tiverton.

Action demanded: The Rhode Island Housing Authority must verify and document Tiverton’s affordable housing stock.

Frequency: Verification and documentation must occur two (2) times per year.

Scope: Applies specifically to the town of Tiverton within the context of the Low and Moderate Income Housing provisions in Chapter 45-53 of the Rhode Island General Laws.

Affected Parties and Impacts

Primary entity required to act: Rhode Island Housing Authority (RIHA).

Geographic focus: Tiverton, Rhode Island.

Practical impact: RIHA will need to establish or maintain processes to count and document affordable housing units in Tiverton on a biannual basis.

Stakeholders likely affected: Tiverton residents, town planning officials, affordable housing advocates, developers, and policymakers relying on Tiverton housing data for program eligibility, grants, or compliance reporting.

Procedural and Timeline Elements

Effective date: The act takes effect upon passage.

Administrative process: Establishes ongoing biannual data verification and documentation by RIHA.

Reporting: The bill implies, but does not explicitly detail, that verifications will be documented; exact data format, reporting cadence, or dissemination methods are not specified in the text provided.

Summary in One Pass

SB 2585 would require the Rhode Island Housing Authority to verify and document the count of affordable housing stock in Tiverton twice a year. The measure is limited to Tiverton and becomes effective upon passage. The intent is to produce reliable, periodic data on Tiverton’s affordable housing stock to support planning and policy decisions related to low- and moderate-income housing.