Speaker Shekarchi announces SAVE Unit legislation for emergency housing options

"This legislation is designed to get people off the streets and into safe shelter,” said House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi.

From a General Assembly press release:

Rhode Island House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi has introduced legislation to enable cities and towns to allow temporary emergency housing structures for people experiencing homelessness during severe weather and/or natural or man-made disasters.

The legislation (2025-H 5100) would enable municipalities to make an emergency declaration, under limited circumstances, to temporarily allow for the construction and use of Supportive and Versatile Emergency units (“SAVE Units”). As outlined in the legislation, SAVE Units have specialized requirements and exemptions from state fire and building codes; the legislation allows municipalities to provide for such housing in their zoning ordinance or by declaring an emergency, which can be in place for up to 180 days.

“Rhode Island is experiencing record numbers of unhoused individuals. In an emergency – such as dangerously low outdoor temperatures, widespread flooding similar to what my hometown of Warwick experienced in 2010, or catastrophic wildfires like the State of California is seeing now – time is of the essence. This legislation is designed to get people off the streets and into safe shelter,” said Speaker Shekarchi (Democrat, District 23, Warwick). “We know that Rhode Island needs to do more to provide permanent housing for the people who need it. While we explore long-term solutions, this act would create specialized provisions to allow SAVE Units to be permitted and constructed quickly to address urgent needs.”

State building codes were not structured with units like SAVE Units in mind; instead, the current interpretation places them in the same category as hotels, requiring significant waivers and requirements (such as sprinklers). This legislation requires that SAVE Units must meet the specialized requirements of the state building code, but they are exempt from other provisions so long as the state fire marshal and/or state building official confirms that the unit complies with the specialized provisions.

Specialized building code provisions outlined in the legislation require that SAVE Units be equipped with climate controls, fire and carbon monoxide detectors, a locking door, an egress window, and fire extinguisher(s) and built in accordance with other specific requirements of state electrical, plumbing, and other codes, if applicable.

This act would also include a provision for reports to be provided to the Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the President of the Senate regarding the nature of the emergency and the number of individuals served by SAVE Units. During the emergency, the municipality’s chief executive officer (mayor, town administrator) would provide reports describing actions taken and the number of people served; the municipal council would have to vote every 30 days to renew the emergency.

Since becoming Speaker in 2021, Shekarchi has prioritized addressing Rhode Island’s housing crisis. He has sponsored nearly 50 new housing laws, all designed to streamline the building and permitting process and encourage more development.