Two recent studies suggest that prospective homeowners will have to earn more than $100,000 annually to afford a typical home in much of the U.S.
housing
Posted inArticle, Housing, Local, South County Bureau
Narragansett Town Council holds off on affordable housing vote after heated exchanges at Monday night’s meeting
The Narragansett Town Council held off on taking action Monday night on a resolution seeking the General Assembly’s authorization to ask voters whether to approve the issuance of $3 million in bonds for affordable housing development in the town. The council failed to take a vote after three councilors, Ewa Dzwierzynski, Jill Lawler, and Steven […]
Posted inLocal, Politics, TGIF
Ian Donnis’ Rhode Island politics roundup for March 8, 2024
Notice how most folks have a little more spring in their step with extra daylight? You can follow me through the week on threads and what we used to call the twitters. Here we go. *** Want to get my column in your inbox every Friday? Just sign up right here. *** STORY OF THE […]
Posted inHousing, Local, Politics
Shekarchi offers more bills to respond to Rhode Island’s housing crisis
Rhode Island House Speaker Joe Shekarchi on Thursday unveiled 15 bills meant to help the state make progress in the housing crisis. During a Statehouse press conference, Shekarchi expressed disappointment that Rhode Island remains last in the nation in per-capita housing production, despite the allocation of tens of millions of dollars in recent years. He […]
Posted inHousing, Local
The system finding shelter for unhoused Rhode Islanders gets more calls than it can handle, report says
The hotline unhoused people can call to access shelter and housing in Rhode Island received roughly 10,000 calls a month last summer. Just four operators answered the bulk of those calls, and the people calling sometimes waited on hold for nearly three hours, according to a little-noticed report delivered to state agencies last fall. “The […]
Posted inThe Weekly Catch
What’s causing rents to go up in New Bedford? And what’s needed to make a safer North Main Street in Providence?
A new commuter train will soon connect New Bedford to Boston. Some residents are worried this could lead to the gentrification of their community. We’ll find out why. Also, we continue our series Renters at Risk and look at why millions of federal dollars are not being used in Rhode Island to protect people from lead in paint. And Providence leaders promise to make roads safer for people on bikes and for pedestrians. We’ll focus on one street that has been extremely dangerous for both – North Main Street. Plus, we’ll have a studio session with local singer/songwriter Allysen Callery.
Posted inLocal, Metro Desk
Providence planners have released a new map showing how the city will grow
Once per decade, the city planners and lawmakers in Providence get a chance to rewrite the plan that guides how neighborhoods are shaped, efforts to control housing costs, and where commercial real estate can be built. That once in a decade opportunity is now. The City of Providence’s Planning Department is beginning to release parts […]
Posted inNPR
How far can cities go to clear homeless camps? The U.S. Supreme Court will decide
Lower courts have said it’s unconstitutional to punish people for sleeping outside if no shelter is available. Cities say these rulings have paralyzed their efforts to manage growing tent encampments.
Posted inHousing, Local, Political Roundtable, Politics, Stories
RIPEC’s Michael DiBiase on RI’s tougher budget climate – and the fallout for schools, housing, healthcare and transportation
The gravy train is over. That sums up how Rhode Island’s fiscal landscape is in transition. In recent years, a gusher of federal COVID aid fueled consecutive budget surpluses. Now, however, the state is returning to a time of bigger disparities between needs and available money. Governor Dan McKee yesterday unveiled his budget proposal for the fiscal year starting July first. The General Assembly will now spend months reviewing the governor’s plans and incorporating its own changes. Among those closely following the process are the business-backed fiscal watchdog group, the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council, and RIPEC President and CEO Michael DiBiase.
Posted inBusiness, Local
Tenant group sues landlord, alleging retaliation against organizing efforts
A group of tenants has filed a lawsuit in district court against Rhode Island landlord Jeffrey Butler and his Warwick-based real estate company, alleging violations of state law protecting renters from certain forms of retaliation. The suit, brought by attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island and the Center for Justice on behalf of four […]
