Specifications include, but are not limited to: Rhode Island is home to 39 municipalities of varying geographic and population sizes and government structures. Each community is unique and will require tailored assistance depending on the community’s needs and housing goals. The time commitment for each activity will vary depending on a municipality’s needs. We are seeking firms to provide the following technical assistance directly to municipalities on an as needed basis: • Needs analysis: Assistance in identifying where more affordable housing could/should be built in the community. This could be areas of the community and/or specific properties. • Updating land use and permitting requirements: Assist municipalities with updating/improving their zoning/land use requirements and/or permitting process to remove barriers to housing development. • Developing model zoning ordinances: Assistance in developing model zoning ordinances that increase density, promote a mix of housing types and otherwise remove barriers to housing development. • Infrastructure capacity assessment: Assistance in evaluating the capacity of a municipality’s infrastructure (such as water and sewer service) to serve existing and planned development and/or determine infrastructure needs to serve future residential development. • Public engagement and education: Share techniques and tools to respond to NIMBYism that is preventing development and engage the community in support of proposed affordable developments or proposed zoning/land use changes that would facilitate housing development.
