If enacted, the bill would amend Title 45 of the General Laws, effectively prohibiting municipalities from having single-family zoning in designated urban areas. Instead, local governments would have to establish regulations that facilitate the development of middle housing types. This shift seeks to create more inclusive communities and alleviate pressure on housing availability, as well as provide a legal pathway for diverse housing options to meet the needs of various demographics, particularly low and moderate-income families.
Summary
House Bill H6638, known as the 'Opening the Market for Housing in Urban Areas Act of 2022', aims to address the housing crisis in Rhode Island by reforming zoning laws in urban municipalities. This bill mandates that cities with a population of over 20,000 allow the development of middle housing types—including duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, and cottage clusters—in areas previously only zoned for single-family homes. The intent is to increase the supply of affordable housing, reduce homelessness, and ensure that residents can easily access essential services.
Contention
While the overall goal of H6638 is to enhance housing availability, notable points of contention center around local control and potential pushback from residents who favor maintaining the character of their neighborhoods. Supporters argue that increased housing diversity is essential for addressing the housing shortage, while opponents express concerns that the bill could lead to overdevelopment and changes that may negatively impact community aesthetics and property values. The challenge will be to find a balance between promoting necessary development and preserving local community preferences.
Requires single-family residential zoning in municipalities with populations of over forty-thousand (40,000) to allow middle housing and mandates that those municipalities adopt zoning regulations for middle housing.
Requires single-family residential zoning in municipalities with populations of over forty-thousand (40,000) to allow middle housing and mandates that those municipalities adopt zoning regulations for middle housing.
Amends several sections of chapter 24 of title 45, entitled "zoning ordinances," also known as the "Rhode Island zoning enabling act of 1991," with the intent of preserving neighborhood character and promoting smart growth.