S 3031Cities & Towns

Towns and Cities - Low and Moderate Income Housing

North Providence can stop accepting new affordable housing building permits if 250 units are already being planned.

Introduced

Population
Affected

Introduced Mar 5, 2026Committee Senate Housing & Municipal Government

Plain-English Summary

This bill grants the town of North Providence the authority to declare an emergency moratorium on new low and moderate-income housing developments. Specifically, if the town already has proposals for 250 or more units of this type of housing pending, they can stop accepting or processing any new applications. This pause on new developments can remain in effect until the state legislature amends the existing laws regarding comprehensive permit requirements. Any applications submitted during this moratorium period will not be accepted or grandfathered in.

For younger readers

This rule is for a town called North Providence. Sometimes, builders want to build special homes that cost less money to live in. If there are already plans to build 250 of these homes waiting to be approved, the town is allowed to say "Stop!" They can refuse to look at any new plans for a while. They can keep saying no to new plans until the state changes the rules for how these homes are approved. This means no new applications for these specific homes can be turned in during the "Stop" time.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

North Providence residentsReal estate developersLow-income familiesTown planning boardConstruction workers

Impacted communities

North Providence

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

Moderate risk

There is a moderate risk. While temporary moratoriums are often upheld, indefinite moratoriums contingent on legislative changes can be challenged as regulatory takings under the Fifth Amendment if they deprive owners of economic use of land for too long. Furthermore, singling out low and moderate-income housing could invite challenges under the Fair Housing Act or Equal Protection Clause if it is proven to have a discriminatory effect on protected classes seeking housing.

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Allows the municipality to pause development to ensure local infrastructure, such as schools and utilities, is not overwhelmed by rapid expansion, thereby protecting the quality of life for existing community members.
Provides a mechanism to assess the cumulative impact of existing proposed units before adding more, potentially preventing poorly planned mass development that could lead to negative environmental or social consequences.
Encourages the state legislature to review and update housing laws, potentially leading to better regulatory frameworks that balance development needs with community sustainability and proper planning.
Directly hinders the creation of low and moderate-income housing during a housing crisis, preventing working-class families and disadvantaged groups from accessing affordable shelter in this specific area.
Perpetuates exclusionary zoning practices that have historically been used to segregate communities by class and socioeconomic status, limiting opportunities for social mobility and integration.
Sets a dangerous precedent allowing municipalities to opt-out of state housing goals, potentially undermining statewide efforts to ensure every community contributes to the social safety net.

For Conservatives

Empowers local government to resist state-imposed mandates regarding housing density, restoring decision-making power to the specific community and its leaders rather than state bureaucrats.
Protects the existing character and infrastructure of the town from being forcibly altered by rapid, large-scale development projects that current residents did not vote for.
Prevents the automatic approval of developments that might burden local taxpayers with increased costs for schools, police, and public services without sufficient revenue offsets.
Infringes upon the property rights of landowners and developers who wish to build on their own land, limiting economic freedom and free enterprise.
Expands government power by allowing the town to arbitrarily halt legal business activities and development applications, creating uncertainty in the local market.
Disrupts the free market by artificially restricting the supply of housing, which could interfere with the natural adjustment of housing prices and construction industry growth.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 9 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 45-53 of the General Laws entitled "Low and Moderate Income Housing" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 45-53-17. North Providence emergency moratorium.

(a) If the town of North Providence, shall at any time have an aggregate of two hundred fifty (250) or more units proposed in a comprehensive permit project or projects, the town of North Providence may enact an emergency moratorium and not accept or process further applications. No application proposed, offered, submitted or tendered during any moratorium imposed pursuant to the provisions of this section shall have any grandfathered status.

(b) The town of North Providence, upon adoption of any moratorium in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, may continue to impose the moratorium until such time as comprehensive permit requirements in § 45-53-4 are amended.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.