Changes the residential limit for any substantial multi-family housing project not to exceed forty thousand (40,000) residents according to the United States Census Bureau.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would change a rule about where large multi-family housing projects — like apartment complexes — can be built in Rhode Island. Specifically, it would update the population threshold that determines which communities are subject to certain housing development rules, setting the limit at towns or cities with no more than 40,000 residents according to U.S. Census data.

Under Rhode Island's existing low and moderate income housing laws, there are already rules about how and where multi-family housing projects can be developed, and different rules can apply depending on the size of a community. This bill would adjust that population cutoff to 40,000 residents, which could affect which cities and towns fall under particular housing development requirements or protections. Communities above that population threshold would be treated differently under the law than those at or below it.

This change would primarily affect local governments, housing developers, and residents in communities near that 40,000-person population mark. Depending on where a town or city falls relative to that threshold, it could influence what kinds of housing projects can be proposed, approved, or challenged in their area. Smaller communities at or below 40,000 residents may face different obligations or have different authority over large housing developments than larger cities.

The bill was introduced in the Rhode Island Senate and referred to the Senate Housing and Municipal Government Committee, which has recommended holding it for further study rather than moving it forward immediately. A hearing is scheduled for April 2026.