§ 42-128-8 - Powers and duties.
SECTION 42-128-8
§ 42-128-8 Powers and duties. – In order to provide housing opportunities for all Rhode Islanders, to maintainthe quality of housing in Rhode Island, and to coordinate and make effectivethe housing responsibilities of the agencies and subdivisions of the state, thecommission shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) Policy, planning and coordination of state housingfunctions. The commission shall have the power and duty:
(i) To prepare and adopt the state's plans for housing;provided, however, that this provision shall not be interpreted to contravenethe prerogative of the state planning council to adopt a state guide plan forhousing.
(ii) To prepare, adopt, and issue the state's housing policy.
(iii) To conduct research on and make reports regardinghousing issues in the state.
(iv) To advise the governor and general assembly on housingissues and to coordinate housing activities among government agencies andagencies created by state law or providing housing services under governmentprograms.
(2) Establish, implement, and monitor state performancemeasures and guidelines for housing programs. The commission shall have thepower and the duty:
(i) To promulgate performance measures and guidelines forhousing programs conducted under state law.
(ii) To monitor and evaluate housing responsibilitiesestablished by state law, and to establish a process for annual reporting onthe outcomes of the programs and investments of the state in housing for lowand moderate income people.
(iii) To hear and resolve disputes pertaining to housingissues.
(3) Administer the programs pertaining to housingresources that may be assigned by state law. The commission shall have thepower and duty to administer programs for housing, housing services, andcommunity development, including, but not limited to, programs pertaining to:
(i) Abandoned properties and the remediation of blightingconditions.
(ii) Lead abatement and to manage a lead hazard abatementprogram in cooperation with the Rhode Island housing and mortgage financecorporation.
(iii) Services for the homeless.
(iv) Rental assistance.
(v) Community development.
(vi) Outreach, education and technical assistance services.
(vii) Assistance, including financial support, to non-profitorganizations and community development corporations.
(viii) Tax credits that assist in the provision of housing orfoster community development or that result in support to non-profitorganizations performing functions to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.
(ix) The Supportive Services Program, the purpose of which isto help prevent and end homelessness among those who have experienced long-termhomelessness and for whom certain services in addition to housing areessential. State funding for this program may leverage other resources for thepurpose of providing supportive services. Services provided pursuant to thissubsection may include, but not be limited to: assistance with budgeting andpaying rent; access to employment; encouraging tenant involvement in facilitymanagement and policies; medication monitoring and management; daily livingskills related to food, housekeeping and socialization; counseling to supportself-identified goals; referrals to mainstream health, mental health andtreatment programs; and conflict resolution.