Zoning laws, red tape, and outdated building restrictions are blocking the housing Rhode Islanders desperately need. In this episode of Law 401, House Speaker Joe Shekarchi joins us to break down how the General Assembly is fighting the housing crisis by passing laws to fix a system that keeps homes out of reach for so many.

In this episode, we cover:

• How zoning laws have slowed housing growth, and what’s changing
• What preemption means, and how the state uses it to mandate housing access
• The legalization and expansion of Accessory Dwelling Units
• New efforts to repurpose vacant commercial and institutional buildings
• Why increasing housing supply can help bring down rents and reduce homelessness
• The balance between local control and statewide responsibility

PLUS: The HASBRO Headquarters move

Resources:

• Speaker Shekarchi’s Bio: https://www.rilegislature.gov/representatives/Shekarchi/Pages/Biography.aspx

• 2025 R.I. Housing Legislation: https://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/RIL.PressRelease.ListStructure/Forms/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31%2D3c10%2D431c%2D8dcd%2D9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=375110&Web=2bab1515%2D0dcc%2D4176%2Da2f8%2D8d4beebdf488\

• 2024 R.I. Housing Bills Passed: https://www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease/_layouts/15/ril.pressrelease.inputform/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=374721

• HousingWorks R.I. 2024 Factbook: https://d337wih8hx5yft.cloudfront.net/images/Publications/HWRI_HFB24.pdf

• Chapter 37: RI Fair Housing Practices Act https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE34/34-37/INDEX.HTM