Batista bill would help push abandoned properties for redevelopment

Bill is part of Speaker Shekarchi’s housing package

STATE HOUSE – Rep. José F. Batista has introduced legislation to help encourage housing production in Rhode Island by requiring towns to publish lists of abandoned properties. The bill is part of House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi’s 15-bill package of legislation to address Rhode Island’s housing crisis.

The legislation (2024-H 7986) amends the existing statute for abandoned properties to further require municipal inventory, with yearly updating, and clarifies the process regarding the required abatement of abandoned properties.

“There are so many places in our communities that were once useful, and really could be useful again if someone made the effort to redevelop them. Development that transforms blighted properties into the homes we desperately need would help address our housing crisis while simultaneously making our existing neighborhoods safer and more vibrant,” said Representative Batista (D-Dist. 12, Providence). “Neighborhoods, people who need homes and municipalities all benefit when abandoned properties are redeveloped.”

The legislation is scheduled for a hearing today before the House Municipal Government and Housing Committee.

From June 2021 to August 2023, Representative Batista worked as assistant city solicitor for the City of Central Falls, where he led the Nuisance Property Task Force, which is dedicated to crafting community-oriented solutions for nuisance and abandoned properties.

He also sponsored one of the bills passed as part of the speaker’s housing package last year. That bill (2023-H 6083A) streamlined appeals of comprehensive permits for affordable housing.