The Rhode Island General Assembly has passed a bill that would allow mobile homes to be counted as affordable housing, helping to meet the state’s 10% affordable housing stock mandate.
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Carol McEntee and Sen. Louis DiPalma, would allow municipalities to count mobile home units as affordable housing if they meet certain requirements, including that they are permanent housing. Mobile homes could be applied toward the goal of 10% of a municipality’s housing stock to be low- and moderate-income housing, with½ credit per qualifying mobile home.
The legislation now heads to the governor for consideration. If approved, it would help to alleviate the state’s housing crisis, said DiPalma.
“Ensuring that our municipalities meet the requirement for affordable housing is vital to our residents and communities,” said DiPalma. “This legislation will help move the needle toward the 10% obligation required by law and most importantly, it will help alleviate Rhode Island’s housing crisis.”
McEntee said the legislation would bring many of the state’s municipalities into compliance with the Low and Moderate Income Housing Act, while also providing crucial housing for residents.
“Due to various factors over many years, our cities and towns have been unable to meet the 10% affordable housing stock mandate, which in turn hurts our low-income residents and families,” said McEntee.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
