Allows the town of Tiverton to receive a one-half (1/2) credit for affordable housing units for manufactured homes in age restricted communities in conformance with all zoning laws and/or ordinances of the town.

Plain-English Summary

Rhode Island has a law that requires cities and towns to maintain a certain percentage of their housing stock as "affordable housing" — meaning homes available to lower-income residents at below-market costs. Currently, the town of Tiverton has manufactured homes (sometimes called mobile homes) located in age-restricted communities (neighborhoods limited to older residents, typically 55+), but these homes may not be fully counting toward the town's affordable housing requirement.

This bill would allow Tiverton to count each qualifying manufactured home in an age-restricted community as half of one affordable housing unit when calculating whether the town meets its affordable housing obligations. To qualify, these homes must follow all of Tiverton's existing zoning laws and local rules. Essentially, it gives Tiverton partial credit for a type of housing that currently may not be recognized in the official count.

The bill primarily affects the town of Tiverton and its local government officials who track and report affordable housing numbers. Residents living in manufactured homes in age-restricted communities could benefit indirectly, as their homes would gain some formal recognition under state housing law. It is worth noting that this is specific only to Tiverton — it would not apply to any other Rhode Island community.

The bill has been introduced and sent to the Senate Housing and Municipal Government Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.