Seven bills designed to deal with the housing crisis in Rhode Island passed in the House of Representatives this week. Among the measures approved would be the creation of an eleven-member commission to study how public schools could offer degrees or certifications to help alleviate a shortage of planning professionals. Another bill would establish a pilot program for municipalities to combine planning and zoning boards.
“I want Rhode Island to be a state where families can have a good life and raise their children, where young people can live near their parents and hometowns, and where seniors can age in place with dignity,” said Speaker Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick). “Unfortunately, Rhode Island does not have enough housing supply to keep up with demand. Too many years of being dead last in the country for new housing permits have caught up with us.
“Our housing and homelessness crisis has been decades in the making and will take a long-term, sustained effort to fix. Although we’ve already introduced and passed three packages of housing legislation – approximately 30 bills – we still have a great deal of work left,” continued Speaker Shekarchi. “I am committed to seeing this through until all Rhode Islanders have a good, safe home. I am thankful to everyone who has partnered with me to raise the dialogue and develop viable solutions to create more housing.”
House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, who announced the package of 15 bills last month says Rhode Island does not have enough housing stock to keep up with demand. The bills now move to the Senate.
(Photo Credit: House Speaker Joe Shekarchi's office)