ARTICLE II. - HOUSING MAINTENANCE AND OCCUPANCY CODE

Footnotes:

--- (2) --- Editor's note— Ch. 122, §§ 122-1—122-3, adopted Aug. 16, 1993, added provisions to the Code, but did not specify manner of inclusion. At the discretion of the editor, therefore, said provisions have been included as §§ 7.5-26—7.5-28 herein.

Sec. 7.5-26. - Adoption of code; requirements.#

The State of Rhode Island has adopted the Rhode Island Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code, R.I.G.L., chapter 45-24.3, which requires: a) each town to create and establish such officers as are required to enforce and administer the powers and duties of said chapter, and b) each town to select and organize a housing board of review consisting of five (5) members.

(Ch. 122, 8-16-93)

Sec. 7.5-27. - Enforcing officer.#

An enforcing officer shall be appointed by the town council. It shall be the duty of the enforcing officer to enforce the provisions of said Rhode Island Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code and any amendment thereto. Said enforcing officer shall have all such powers and duties as given enforcing officers in said R.I.G.L., chapter 45-24.3.

(Ch. 122, 8-16-93)

Sec. 7.5-28. - Housing board of review.#

(a)

Housing board of review. A housing board of review is hereby created. The board shall be appointed by the town council and shall consist of five (5) members. Each member shall be appointed for a term of five (5) years, except that the original appointments shall be made for terms of one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4), and five (5) years respectively and reappointment or succeeding appointments shall be made on July 1 of each year.

(b)

Organization of the board. During July of each year, the board shall organize by electing from its membership, a chair person, vice-chairperson and secretary.

(c)

Powers and duties of the board. The board and its members shall have all the powers and duties provided to a housing board of review and its members by said R.I.G.L., chapter 45-24.3.

(Ch. 122, 8-16-93)

Sec. 7.5-29. - Affordable housing partnership.#

(a)

Affordable housing partnership. An affordable housing partnership is hereby created. The partnership committee shall be appointed by the town council and shall consist of five (5) members, with three (3) members needed for a quorum. Each member shall be appointed for a term of five (5) years, except that the original appointments shall be made for terms of one (1), two (2), three (3) four (4) and five (5) years respectively and reappointment or succeeding appointments shall be made on July 1 of each year.

(b)

Organization of the partnership committee. During July of each year, the partnership committee shall organize by electing from its membership, a chair person, vice-chairperson and secretary.

(c)

Powers and duties of the partnership committee. The charge and duties of the affordable housing partnership shall be as follows:

• Maintaining a list of candidates for the affordable housing.

• Overseeing any lotteries or other mechanisms that control access to affordable units.

• Being responsible for managing any contractual relationships.

• Seeing that town policies, in regards to monitoring, were followed.

• Establishing short and long-term housing goals for the town that include those in this plan, and creating an action plan to meet them.

• Supporting and expanding the role of non-profit organizations in developing permanent affordable housing.

• Conducting a housing opportunities plan to identify underutilized parcels that are zoned either residential or non-residential and are suitable for high density housing or mixed uses.

• Developing a site inventory of potentially suitable sites for adaptive reuse such as mills and vacant buildings.

• Considering the feasibility of tax abatement plans to create affordable unites within existing homes.

• Advocating the creation of affordable housing for the elderly and special needs groups.

• Researching priorities for the installation and any future expansion of town sewer and water services and how new septic plant technology could be harnessed to facilitate controlled growth.

• Updating the housing element.

• Working with the town building inspector to make sure that housing in town is safe and sanitary.

• Coordinating education programs to raise awareness and remove impediments to affordable housing development.

• Keeping the town apprised of changes in the Low and Moderate Income Housing Act.

• Monitoring changes in the housing industry and governmental programs by conferences and seminars such as those offered by Grow Smart Rhode Island.

• Administering an affordable housing land trust fund.

(Ch. 186, 5-2-05)

Secs. 7.5-30—7.5-35. - Reserved.#