Updates on Housing, Renter's Rights, and Homelessness in Rhode Island

News from across the State that will impact our ability to have safe, secure, healthy and affordable housing

A lot happened in Rhode Island this week concerning the issues of housing, renter’s rights, and homelessness. Here’s a partial sampling:

Attorney General Neronha to appeal Superior Court ruling in Pioneer Investments case

Attorney General Peter Neronha issued a statement on Friday following the Superior Court’s decision in the Office’s case against Pioneer Investments, LLC, which granted both sides’ Motions for Summary Judgment and ended the proceedings in the Superior Court:

“Last year, our Office took action to protect children from being lead poisoned in their homes - suing a major Rhode Island rental corporation and its president for failing to comply with numerous State rental, lead hazard, and consumer protection laws that have placed the health and safety of hundreds of renters at risk. With all due respect to the Court, we have been repeatedly disappointed by the decisions in this case, and we believe the Court got it wrong here for two major reasons.

“The Court found that Pioneer’s behavior does not violate the DTPA [Deceptive Trade Practices Act] because renters are not consumers. This is contrary to the law and probably seems absurd to anyone who has ever paid money in exchange for a product.

“Secondly, the Court ruled that the Department of Health should exhaust all its tools (e.g., fines) before my Office can take action. I believe this has the potential to cause real, tangible harm to the people of Rhode Island in any case involving public health.

“My Office stands by the allegations in the complaint, and we will continue to vigorously pursue accountability here through appeals and other means.

“More broadly, I am tired of the feet dragging when it comes to the health and development of our children. Our collective response to lead safety laws must be commensurate with the danger that lead poisoning poses, which cannot be overstated. Since the September launch of the Rental Registry, nearly 37,000 rental units across Rhode Island have been registered, a huge win for lead-safe housing. And yet, I have heard pushback from some landlords via the media about supposed issues they are facing in their attempts to comply with lead safety laws that have been on the books for more than 20 years. To me, these complaints ring hollow and demonstrate the need for an Attorney General’s Office that fights for the people of this State, using the laws that the General Assembly have enacted. We must all do our part to eradicate childhood lead poisoning. No more excuses, no more games.”

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Noting a 34.9% increase in Rhode Island, the 2024 State of Homelessness is stark

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Governor McKee Appoints Deborah J. Goddard as Rhode Island Secretary of Housing

Today, Governor Daniel McKee appointed Deborah Goddard to serve as Secretary of the Rhode Island Department of Housing.

Goddard has more than 40 years of housing experience in the private and public sectors. She currently leads the Massachusetts-based DJ Goddard Consulting, which advises and provides organizational and process analysis for public, quasi-public, and nonprofit agencies.

Prior to this role, Goddard served as the Executive Vice President for Capital Projects at the New York City Housing Authority from 2016 to 2019, where she oversaw $3 billion in construction projects and helped advance the agency’s energy and sustainability programs.

“Deborah Goddard is a deeply committed and accomplished housing professional whose work has benefitted people from all backgrounds,” said Governor Dan McKee.“Housing affordability and availability in Rhode Island have never been more important than they are right now. I am confident Deborah’s knowledge and experience will guide the Department to achieving our housing goals.”

From 2014 to 2016, Goddard was the Managing Director for Policy and Program Development at MassHousing, where she supported initiatives to enhance utility rebates for multifamily housing, created a new model for supportive services in elderly housing, and launched cost savings for energy and water conservation investments.

Prior to that role, she served as General Counsel to the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, where she oversaw the regulatory infrastructure of the Commonwealth’s affordable housing zoning law, housing preservation legislation, and fair housing policy.

In a statement, Goddard said:

“Secure, safe, and affordable housing creates the foundation for positive outcomes in education, health, and economic prosperity. With this principle in mind, my career has been dedicated to creating and preserving housing opportunities across the income spectrum, for the unhoused, for renters and homeowners alike, with attention to equity. So, I am honored and excited to have this opportunity to advance a housing agenda for Rhode Island that is inclusive, comprehensive, and transparent.

“That said, I am very aware of the persistent headwinds that we face in this arena, but they are not unique to Rhode Island, nor are they new. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Department of Housing and sister agencies, with elected officials and partners throughout the public and private sectors to achieve success despite the challenges.

“I thank Governor McKee for his confidence in me, for his commitment to addressing the housing needs and aspirations of all Rhode Islanders, and for his ongoing endorsement of the role of the Department of Housing as a part of his cabinet.”

Goddard holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, and a Doctor of Law degree from Boston College Law School. In 2002, Harvard University awarded her a Loeb Fellowship to support a year of independent study.

Her name has been submitted to the Rhode Island Senate for advice and consent.

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Statement from Melina Lodge, Executive Director of the Housing Network of Rhode Island, on the appointment of an interim Housing Secretary

“Today’s appointment of Deborah Goddard as Rhode Island’s Housing Secretary by Governor McKee is very welcome and encouraging news. Having had the opportunity to work with Deb in the past, I can confidently say she has the skills and expertise needed to lead the Department of Housing and respond to Rhode Island’s housing challenges in a thoughtful, solutions-oriented way. 

“The Housing Network¹ and its members look forward to partnering with Secretary Goddard and her team to ensure Rhode Island makes meaningful strides toward equitable housing solutions for all.”

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From GoLocalProv: McKee’s new Housing Secretary was at the center of mold and failed heating controversies in NYC

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The Cranston City Council will take up a new anti-camping ordinance on Monday.

It reads:

Section 1.  Title 9, “PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS, AND WELFARE,” Chapter 4, 24 “OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE AND DECENCY” of the Code of the City of 25 Cranston is hereby amended to ADD Chapter 9.04.062 as follows: 26 27 9.04.070 – Camping on City-Owned property. No person shall set up any type of shelter, either permanent or temporary, for the purpose of housing within the limits of the City on any City-owned property. Said shelter shall be defined as any type of material erected for the purpose of protecting an individual from the natural elements, whether or not said structure is erected in a temporary or permanent manner. The Cranston Police Department (CPD) shall have the authority to enter any City-owned property for the purpose of inspecting any such housing or encampment and shall have the authority to coordinate with the City of Cranston Department of Public Works (DPW) to remove any such encampment or housing, however, not before contacting and cooperating with any social services necessary in an effort to relocate and provide temporary housing for any violator of this ordinance. If any individual refuses to cooperate with any offered services, they shall be issued a no-trespass order from said property. Those individuals shall immediately remove their erected structure and not return to the property. Should the structure remain or be moved to other City property for a period of no more than twenty-four (24) hours after the individual is issued a no-trespass order, said encampment or housing shall be removed by the DPW and be 44 discarded. Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect upon its final adoption.

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Tenant advocates offer changes to the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act at State House Commission

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Providence City Council introduced an ordinance banning the issuance of fines for camping on public property sponsored by Majority Whip Miguel Sanchez, Council President Rachel Miller, and Deputy Majority Whip Sue AnderBois.

The ordinance will be heard in the Ordinance Committee in the weeks ahead.

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West Warwick Town Council passes an anti-camping ordinance.

Here’s the ordinance:

ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL 2024-22

Chapter 12 - OFFENSES-MISCELLANEOUS

ARTICLE I. - IN GENERAL

Sec. 12-XX, - Unauthorized Camping on Public Property.

A. Finding and Purpose

Camping without adequate sanitation services, such as access to water, sewer, and regular sanitation collection, presents a public health and safety concern. Challenging access to remote locations for public safety/first responders creates a burden for timely emergency services and increases the risks to residents, visitors, and town employees. Additionally, unauthorized camping on public property often interferes with the intended use of the public space. As a result, this camping ordinance is necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community, prevent interference with the rights intended, and preserve such open spaces and natural resources.

B. Definitions

• Camp or To Camp: To shelter in a tent, under a tarp or canopy, in a motor vehicle, camper, or in any other outdoor shelter for the purpose of living accommodations.

• Camping Materials: Any item used to camp or to provide outdoor shelter, such as a tent, tarp, canopy, mattress, furniture, fuel tanks, stoves, heating units, luggage, backpacks, and cooking paraphernalia.

• Campsite or Encampment: Any place where a tent, tarp, or other temporary structure is located for the purpose of providing outdoor shelter.

• Public Property: Any town-owned property, improved or unimproved, including, but not limited to, a public park, public street, public sidewalk, public parking lot, public alley, public education institution and property, public recreation facility, public right-of-way, river walk, and bike path.

C. Unauthorized Camping on Public Property

It is unlawful to camp, occupy a campsite, or leave camping materials on public property unless specifically authorized to do so by the Director of Public Works or his/her designee for an approved permitted event.

D. It is unlawful to use a fuel tank or have an open fire at an unauthorized campsite on public property. Notwithstanding the above, portable propane tanks may be used within designated picnic areas during regular park hours.

E. Removal of Personal Property at Unauthorized Campsites

Any camping materials and personal property abandoned at an unauthorized campsite may be removed and properly disposed of by the Town. The Town, its agents, and/or employees will not be liable for any loss or damage of any kind associated with the removal and/or disposal of abandoned property at unauthorized campsites. Before removing any personal property, a public safety officer or his/her designee shall attempt to provide any readily apparent owners with at least 72 hours’ notice of the intent to remove the personal property and a reasonable opportunity to remove the personal property from public property. If there is no readily apparent owner, or if the apparent owner refuses to remove the personal property from public property, then the public safety officer may cause the personal property to be removed from public property. The public safety officer shall post a Notice on or near the personal property so as to communicate the notice to the owner the following information:

• The location where the personal property was located;

• The date and time notice was served or posted;

• A statement that the storage of personal property violates this Section; and,

• An advisement that the Town has impounded the personal property for at least 30 days, the process to recover the personal property and storage location, and that the personal property will be disposed of after 30 days if not claimed.

The public safety officer may immediately and properly dispose of or secure, without impounding or retaining for 30 days, any items which constitute an immediate threat to the health or safety of the public or items that constitute evidence of a crime or contraband that may be legally seized, as permitted by law.

F. Penalties

Any person found to be in violation of any provision of Section 12-XX may be subject to a non-criminal hearing in Municipal Court via a summons to appear (defined in Chapter 11.5 - Courts) and be issued a No Trespass Warning documented by the Police Department during a First Offense. A second offense or subsequent offense shall include a municipal court hearing, with a punishment of a fine not exceeding $100.00 at the discretion of the judge, along with a continuance for acceptance of appropriate social services. Violations of any No Trespass orders shall be handled within the jurisdiction of the District Court.

Previous reporting:

• West Warwick realizes that criminalizing homelessness is not simply immoral - it’s impractical

• West Warwick Town Council sends homelessness ordinance back to the drawing board

Here’s the video. Discussion of the ordinance begins at the 24-minute mark:

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1. The Housing Network of Rhode Island (HNRI) is a membership organization made up of 19 community development corporations and affordable housing developers. Together, our members are dedicated to building affordable housing and strengthening communities across the state. From Westerly to Woonsocket, they have developed thousands of affordable homes and are leading efforts in community revitalization and economic development. Their work includes real estate development, financial education, housing counseling, and resident engagement, all of which help create positive change and improve the lives of Rhode Islanders.

HNRI members include: Church Community Housing Corporation, Crossroads Rhode Island, Foster Forward, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Providence and East Bay, House of Hope Community Development Corporation, Jonnycake Center, NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, Omni Development Corporation, ONE Neighborhood Builders, Pawtucket Central Falls Development, Pawtucket Housing Authority, Providence Revolving Fund, Sojourner House, South County Habitat for Humanity, SWAP (Stop Wasting Abandoned Property) Inc., Valley Affordable Housing Corporation, WARM Center, West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation & Women’s Development Corporation