Opinion/Shekarchi: Legislative package will address housing needs providencejournal.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from providencejournal.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
When he was running for governor three years ago, Gavin Newsom promised, rather absurdly, that he would spearhead a drive to build 3.5 million new housing units by 2025.
It was absurd because it would require California to escalate new construction from about 100,000 units a year to 500,000, which would be financially and physically impossible.
Once elected, Newsom backed away from that pledge, calling it âaspirational,â but he did attempt, a year ago, to once again focus attention on the stateâs housing crisis by devoting nearly all of his State of the State address to it and the closely related homelessness issue.
Rhode Island home prices are through the roof, and House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi sees a state housing czar and tiny houses as elements in the affordability solution.
The first-year speaker on Monday unveiled an eight-bill legislative package that would include making it illegal for landlords to refuse to rent to tenants who pay with housing vouchers. The Fair Housing Practices Act, sponsored by Rep. Anastasia Williams, D-Providence, is scheduled for a House vote Tuesday and has strong support in the Senate, where it s passed in prior years.
“Long before the COVID-19 pandemic reached us, Rhode Island was facing a profound housing crisis, Shekarchi said. Our housing is not affordable, in short supply, and our housing stock is aging and often not in safe, livable condition.”
Shekarchi unveils package of affordable housing legislation
R.I. HOUSE SPEAKER K. Joseph Shekarchi on Monday announced a package of legislation to support creating more affordable housing in the state. / COURTESY GENERAL ASSEMBLY
PROVIDENCE – House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi on Monday unveiled a package of seven pieces of legislation aimed at making housing more available and affordable in the state.
The Warwick Democrat said housing is “a critical challenge,” and also urged Rhode Island voters to approve Question 3 in Tuesday’s statewide special referenda election to authorize $65 million in bonds for affordable housing development.
“Long before the COVID-19 pandemic reached us, Rhode Island was facing a profound housing crisis,” said Shekarchi. “Our housing is not affordable, in short supply, and our stock is aging and often not in safe, livable condition. Rents are out of reach for average-income families, and those making less than that face enormous challen
City housing program moving forward mcphersonsentinel.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mcphersonsentinel.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.