2014 -- H 7735

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - RHODE ISLAND HOUSING

RESOURCES ACT OF 1998

     Introduced By: Representatives Slater, Blazejewski, and Diaz

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2014

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 42-128-1 and 42-128-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-128

entitled "Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1998" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     42-128-1. Findings. -- (a) Rhode Island has an older housing stock which contributes

invaluably to community character, and in order to maintain the stability of neighborhoods and to

sustain health communities, it is necessary to have programs for housing and community

development and revitalization.

      (b) Rhode Island has an active private sector that is engaged in supplying housing.

      (c) Rhode Island has an active non-profit housing sector, which can, if provided adequate

support, assist low and moderate income persons and works to improve conditions in

neighborhoods and communities.

      (d) Housing that is not adequately maintained is a source of blight in communities and a

cause of public health problems. Public health and safety are impaired by poor housing

conditions; poisoning from lead paint and respiratory disease (asthma) are significant housing

related health problems in Rhode Island.

      (e) There is an increasing need for supported living arrangements for the elderly and a

continuing need for supported living arrangements for persons who are disabled and/or homeless.

      (f) Fair housing, and the potential of unequal treatment of individuals based on race,

ethnicity, age, disability, and family, must be given continuing attention.

      (g) Housing costs consume a disproportionate share of income for many Rhode

Islanders; housing affordability is a continuing problem, especially for first time home buyers and

lower and moderate income renters; the high cost of housing adversely affects the expansion of

Rhode Island's economy. Housing affordability and availability affect conditions of

homelessness. The high cost of housing and the lack of affordable, decent housing for low

income households is a source of hardship for very low income persons and families in Rhode

Island.

      (h) The Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation, which has provided

more than two decades of assistance in addressing issues of both the affordability of home

ownership and rental housing and the preservation of the housing stock for low and moderate

income persons, is facing future funding shortfalls and must either increase revenues or reduce

programs in order to remain viable.

      (i) The federal government has been reducing its commitment to housing since 1981, and

there is no indication that earlier levels of federal support for housing will be restored.

      (j) Public housing authorities, which rely on federal support that is being reconsidered,

have been and continue to be an important housing resource for low income families and the

elderly.

      (k) Rhode Island, unlike most other states, does not have an agency or department of

state government with comprehensive responsibility for housing.

      (l) It is necessary and desirable in order to protect that public health and to promote the

public welfare, to establish a housing resources agency and a housing resources commission for

the purposes of improving housing conditions, promoting housing affordability, engaging in

community development activities, and assisting the urban, suburban, and rural communities of

the state.

     (m) The state, through the housing resources commission and the Rhode Island

interagency council on homelessness, has adopted the Opening Doors RI: Strategic Plan to

Prevent and End Homelessness which calls for an increase of eight hundred ninety-eight (898)

rent subsidized apartments.

     42-128-5. Purposes. -- The purposes of the commission shall be:

      (1) To develop and promulgate state policies, and plans, for housing and housing

production and performance measures for housing programs established pursuant to state law.

      (2) To coordinate activities among state agencies and political subdivisions pertaining to

housing.

      (3) To promote the stability of and quality of life in communities and neighborhoods.

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      (4) To provide opportunities for safe, sanitary, decent, adequate and affordable housing

in Rhode Island.

      (5) To encourage public-private partnerships that foster the production, rehabilitation,

development, maintenance, and improvement of housing and housing conditions, especially for

low and moderate income people.

      (6) To foster and support no-profit organizations, including community development

corporations, and their associations and intermediaries, that are engaged in providing and housing

related services.

      (7) To encourage and support partnerships between institutions of higher education and

neighborhoods to develop and retain quality, healthy housing and sustainable communities.

      (8) To facilitate private for-profit production and rehabilitation of housing for diverse

populations and income groups.

      (9) To provide, facilitate, and/or support the provisions of technical assistance.

     (10) To provide for the housing rental subsidy program to assist in providing safe and

affordable housing to shelter residents. Funds will be administered by the department of

administration, office of housing and community development, through the housing resources

commission.

     (11) To provide for homeless prevention assistance and housing retention assistance and

rapid re-housing for individuals and families at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Funds will

be administered by the department of administration, office of housing and community

development, through the housing resources commission.

     SECTION 2. Appropriation. - There is hereby appropriated for the fiscal year 2014-2015,

three million four hundred thousand dollars ($3,400,000) for the housing rental subsidy program

and four hundred thirty-nine thousand dollars ($439,000) for homeless prevention and assistance

for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act, and the state controller is hereby

authorized to draw his orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said sum, or so much

thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt by him or her of properly

authenticated vouchers.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - RHODE ISLAND HOUSING

RESOURCES ACT OF 1998

***

     This act would appropriate three million four hundred thousand dollars ($3,400,000) for

the housing rental subsidy program and four hundred thirty-nine thousand dollars ($439,000) for

homeless prevention and assistance.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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