House approves ‘missing middle’ bill, now heads to senate

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island’s House of Representatives unanimously passed house the “missing middle” bill this week, which would change the way builders and cities need to zone for multi-family housing up to four units.

Before this bill, multi-family units, or anything with three “dwelling units” or more, were considered under commercial zoning codes, rather than residential.

It made it harder for builders to focus on triple-decker homes, which are pretty common across the state since the zoning would make it more expensive than single or double-family homes.

This bill aims to increase the production of these mini-apartment units and improve housing density as the state deals with a massive shortage of housing.

Bill Sponsor June S. Speakman cites the jobs this bill could create, as it would spur construction companies and developers to build up housing stock.

“Buildings with three or four apartments are very different from huge office buildings, public places or 40-story apartment high rises, but they currently are governed by the same commercial building codes,” said Representative Speakman, who serves as chairwoman of the House’s Commission on Housing Affordability.

“This bill addresses the needs of the missing middle in the housing market. Duplexes, triplexes and four-unit buildings are desirable and affordable for renters, while also providing homeownership opportunities for working-class Rhode Islanders who use the rental income to support the cost of their home. Our state needs this change to make multifamily housing construction possible again,” he said.

The bill unanimously passed the house and now makes its way to the Senate.