Chapter 354
2008 -- H 7687
SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 07/05/08
A N A C T
RELATING
TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - RHODE ISLAND HOUSING
RESOURCES
ACT OF 1998
Introduced
By: Representatives Slater, Diaz, Almeida, Williams, and Dennigan
Date Introduced:
February 26, 2008
It is enacted by the General Assembly as
follows:
SECTION 1. Section
42-128-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-128 entitled "Rhode
Island Housing Resources Act of 1998" is
hereby amended to read as follows:
42-128-8.
Powers and duties. -- In order to provide housing opportunities for all
Rhode
Islanders, to maintain the quality of housing in
Rhode Island, and to coordinate and make
effective the housing responsibilities of the
agencies and subdivisions of the state, the
commission shall have the following powers and
duties:
(1) Policy,
planning and coordination of state housing functions. - The commission shall
have the power and duty:
(i) To prepare
and adopt the state's plans for housing, provided however that this
provision shall not be interpreted to contravene
the prerogative of the state planning council to
adopt a state guide plan for housing.
(ii) To prepare,
adopt, and issue the state's housing policy.
(iii) To conduct research
on and make reports regarding housing issues in the state.
(iv) To advise
the governor and general assembly on housing issues and to coordinate
housing activities among government agencies and
agencies created by state law or providing
housing services under government programs.
(2) Establish,
implement, and monitor state performance measures and guidelines for
housing programs. - The commission shall have
the power and the duty:
(i) To promulgate
performance measures and guidelines for housing programs conducted
under state law.
(ii) To monitor
and evaluate housing responsibilities established by state law, and to
establish a process for annual reporting on the
outcomes of the programs and investments of the
state in housing for low and moderate income
people.
(iii) To hear and
resolve disputes pertaining to housing issues.
(3) Administer
the programs pertaining to housing resources that may be assigned by
state law. - The commission shall have the power
and duty to administer programs for housing,
housing services, and community development,
including, but not limited to, programs pertaining
to:
(i) Abandoned
properties and the remediation of blighting conditions.
(ii) Lead
abatement and to manage a lead hazard abatement program in cooperation with
the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance
Corporation.
(iii) Services
for the homeless.
(iv) Rental
assistance.
(v) Community
development.
(vi) Outreach,
education and technical assistance services.
(vii) Assistance,
including financial support, to non-profit organizations and community
development corporations.
(viii) Tax
credits that assist in the provision of housing or foster community development
or that result in support to non-profit
organizations performing functions to accomplish the
purposes of this chapter.
(ix) The
Supportive Services Program, the purpose of which is to help prevent and end
homelessness among those who have experienced long-term
homelessness and for whom certain
services in addition to housing are essential.
State funding for this program may leverage other
resources for the purpose of providing
supportive services. Services provided pursuant to this
subsection may include, but not be limited to:
assistance with budgeting and paying rent; access
to employment; encouraging tenant involvement in
facility management and policies; medication
monitoring and management; daily living skills
related to food, housekeeping and socialization;
counseling to support self-identified goals;
referrals to mainstream health, mental health and
treatment programs; and conflict resolution.
SECTION 2. This
act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC01393/SUB A/2
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