RI Coalition of Housing Providers

06/15/2026

"With Rhode Island property taxpayers already facing some of the highest property tax levels in the country, it’s concerning that several communities are raising taxes beyond the 4% cap," RIPEC President Michael DiBiase said with the report. "When we looked at local tax trends and who is impacted the most, it became clear that cities and towns are increasingly shifting a greater share of the burden onto landlords, renters, and businesses."

Another great reminder — a 4% tax cap does NOT refer to the increase made on each tax payer across the board. It is a cap on the total amount of property tax that may be collected by the municipality collectively. This is why some taxpayers like landlords face tax increases exceeding 40%. Regardless of if this is the appropriate approach, the costs are inevitably passed on in rent increases along with the many other expenses that have ballooned during rapid inflation. 💡

Seven communities exceeded the state's 4% cap on property tax hikes in the year ending June 30, says a Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council report.

06/14/2026

We are happy to help! This week we participated in Facebook discussion regarding one of the new affordable housing developments in Providence. Since then we have been contacted by several people asking questions about how to apply. While we do not have any affiliation with this housing provider, we are happy to connect those in need.
Rhode Island has many housing resources that are often under utilized. This new affordable housing development is only about 30% leased thus far. We know that there are many families who can benefit from this development. Sometimes help just looks like making the right connections!
The Flynn is a new development of apartments that will be reserved for households making between 30% and 80% of the area median income. This will be helpful to renters in this competitive housing environment because housing will be reserved and targeted to those within this budget. Eliminating competition from higher earners ensures that these affordable and market rate apartments are dedicated to those who have a budget — not scooped up by those with increased means. 🏘️

06/11/2026

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/06/11/metro/providence-city-council-rachel-miller-not-running-ri/?event=event12

Rachel Miller, who led the high-profile effort to limit rent increases in the city, said she will not seek a third term on the council. The deadline to declare for office is in less than two weeks.

06/09/2026

HOUSE BILL 7199 – Rhode Island Survivor Early Lease Termination Act

This legislation has now passed the House Floor.

We were pleased to work collaboratively with stakeholders throughout the legislative process to help shape legislation that fulfills its intended purpose: protecting survivors of domestic and sexual abuse by providing a pathway to leave unsafe living situations due to abuse without penalty.

As we stated throughout this session, the Rhode Island Coalition of Housing Providers supports survivors of abuse and worked diligently to advocate for a bill that achieves its intended goals while addressing potential technical and legal concerns that could create unintended consequences for all parties involved.

The Rhode Island Coalition of Housing Providers extends its sincere appreciation to Representative Alzate and Chairwoman McEntee for their leadership, dedication, and willingness to bring stakeholders together. Thank you for your hard work in developing the strongest possible version of this important legislation.

06/08/2026

PROVIDENCE: What really goes on when the rest of us are distracted by controversies like rent control…

“While the city council budget has doubled in this period, the total city budget itself has only gone up 37.5%. And the largest hike in record happened just recently. Whereas other city council administrations hired and expanded with their new budget allocations, this recent unprecedented hike was used primarily to give themselves raises. To the tune of just under $750k across a staff of 36 - that’s about a $21k raise per person annually.”

Explore this post and more from the providence community

06/04/2026

INCENTIVES! More and more smaller, private, landlords have been reporting that it is taking longer to rent their apartment and they are being much more negotiable. Negotiations might include something like including Wi-Fi, lowering the rent from the asking price, allowing a pet with no pet fee, moving in early at no charge…
And now the incentives are even showing up in a more formalized way from larger developments. 🏘️ Just as Zillow reports, the market is cooling off! Continuing the production of much-needed housing and providing appropriate assistance to those most in need will boast the largest return on affordability in the years to come. We are seeing it now.

06/04/2026

Did you know that squatting has been such a problem across the country that they even made a show about it? 🏚️

Rhode Island has a proposal that will end these contentious and dangerous situations. The proposed law has passed the Senate, but now we wait on the House. About a dozen states have expedited the passage of anti-squatter laws in order to protect private property, housing availability, and community safety.

While this show may be entertaining and shed light on a very serious situation, we prefer to keep this in the hands of law enforcement and the judicial system. Someone who enters a home without permission, should not be given the same protections as a tenant.

Please contact your Representative and leadership to let them know that House Bill 8066 is important to you!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18DS8xghbC/?mibextid=wwXIfr

06/02/2026

A vote has been scheduled in the House Judiciary Committee for House Bill 8215, legislation relating to emotional support animals in rental housing.

This bill establishes a fair and balanced process for the verification of emotional support animal requests while preserving protections for individuals who legitimately require these accommodations.

Under the legislation, a housing provider may request verification that a domesticated animal is being used for emotional support. Verification may be provided by a licensed Rhode Island healthcare professional who has maintained a provider-patient relationship with the individual for at least 30 days. The healthcare provider must be acting within the scope of their professional practice, certify that a clinical evaluation has been conducted, and provide the verification under penalty of perjury.

The bill also recognizes circumstances where accommodating an emotional support animal would impose an undue burden on a property owner, allowing for reasonable consideration of those situations.

We extend our sincere thanks to Representative Serpa of West Warwick, the bill’s House sponsor and a dedicated animal advocate, for his leadership on this issue. House Bill 8125 provides much-needed clarity for both housing providers and individuals who rely on emotional support animals, helping ensure legitimate accommodations are protected while discouraging abuse of the process. 🐶🐰🐱

05/28/2026

SQUATTER BILL 2481 HAS PASSED THE SENATE!

RICOHP worked on an amendment that clarified concerns regarding this Bill’s impact on homeless encampments. This bill specifically protects private property that is apartments or homes against unlawful trespassers who are not tenants in a property.

The passage of this Bill will ensure that housing which remains scarce will remain available for lawful residents and working families who continue to compete in a scarce housing market. This law, not only protects private property rights, but the rights and safety of neighbors.

We are excited to be one step closer to closing this extreme loophole in the law that harms our housing market and communities at large.

Thank you to Senator Tikoian, the lead sponsor on this needed legislation. David Tikoian

05/25/2026

What did you do on this Memorial Day weekend? 🎆🇺🇸🎆