Rhode Island Housing Crisis - Not a single city or town in Rhode Island is affordable for the average household income
Across Rhode Island, buying a home is getting tougher every year. Prices keep climbing, and there just aren’t enough houses or apartments to go around. Families, young first time buyers, even renters are feeling the pressure
According to a 2025 report from Realtor.com, not a single city or town in Rhode Island is affordable for the average household, whether you’re looking to rent or buy. You would need to earn well over one-hundred twenty thousand dollars a year, far higher than the state’s median income. And rents have been rising faster than wages, making apartments harder to afford too.
Local realtor Racheal Dotson says competition in the market has intensified.
“Lack of housing stock of quality. A lot of homes need a lot of work but they’re priced very high and I think with uncertainty in the job market and how expensive everything is right now, I think everybody is just holding off. They can’t get something that doesn’t need a lot of work for their budget. Especially first time buyers who do not have a lot of equity from their sale to work from. But, even people who are moving on from a first or second home, everyone is still watching the money.”
Across Rhode Island, nearly four in ten households now spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing , a level experts consider cost-burdened. For many, rent isn’t much easier. In most Rhode Island cities, the typical worker still can’t afford a basic two-bedroom apartment without stretching their budget.
Dotson said renters are feeling even more pressure, describing one single mother in her neighborhood whose rent increased by nearly $1,000 in just 6 months.
One local real estate sales associate and Bristol native told me she’s seeing buyers compete with multiple offers, often forced to make difficult compromises just to stay in the market.
A recent University of Rhode Island poll found more than nine in ten residents say housing costs are a serious concern. Researchers at HousingWorks RI say increasing housing supply and expanding affordable units could help ease the pressure — but those changes won’t happen overnight.
For now, affordable housing in Rhode Island remains out of reach for many. And until more housing becomes available and affordable, that reality may not change anytime soon.
Researcher: Roslyn Iaderosa
Writer: Roslyn Iaderosa
Reporter: Roslyn Iaderosa
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
Help Out Your Friendly Neighborhood Pets - Non-profit organization Friends of Bristol Animal Shelter is looking for volunteers
I’m Elizabeth and I’m here at the Friends of Bristol Animal Center right off Metacom Av. where I got the privilege of talking to some workers and to meet some of the kitties that are looking for their furr-ever home
Friends of Bristol Animal Center is a non profit organization aimed at providing a safe, healthy environment for animals
The center works with Bristol Animal Control to take in sick, abused, abandoned, and homeless dogs and cats of every age and size.
When I visited there were only cat, but let me say, the sweetest and friendliest cats i’ve ever met
Since the center is run by a non profit organization it relies on fundraising and community support to help provide for the animals
“It is basically, like kind of a lifesaving structure, you know it allows us to raise money to do other things that other places would not be able to do .”
Thankfully though, the town of Bristol pays for all medical expenses the furry friends need before they find their home
“We had a cat who needed like a $10,000 surgery. There isn’t really any town that’s going to ever be able to do something like that. Towns usually cover vaccines and spays and neuters and that’s it.”
And the center takes volunteers of any kind, the more the merrier they say
“We can have like up to 30 volunteers at any given time, but they’re on like a rotation, and they don’t do all the same thing. So, you know we recognize that somebody that’s retired might have physical restrictions. Volunteers basically do what they want to do since they’re here because they want to be here.”
The center also works with Roger Williams University as a work study job for college students
They are located on 10 Minturn Fard Rd, Bristol, RI. Visit their website friendsofthebristolanimalcenter.org to find out how to volunteer and more ways to make a change in a precious animal’s life
Researcher: Elizabeth Chant
Writer: Elizabeth Chant
Reporter: Elizabeth Chant
Videographer: Roslyn Iaderosa
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
March Events Bring Activity Back to Rhode Island - A variety of events are taking place at locations in and around Providence
As the cold weather subsides in Rhode Island, there are countless things to do in March, as there are a variety of events that will take place at locations in and around Providence.
According to event planners, these events will help to stimulate both local business and tourism as we enter into the spring season.
Some highlights include live music tributes, art workshops, and local theater group performances.
Also, since daylight savings begins this weekend, the additional hour of evening daylight will give residents more time to check out the events being held throughout the state.
Researcher: Edith Hills
Writer: Edith Hills
Reporter: Sarah Price
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
Rhode Island Lawmakers Push New Housing Bills - An increase in new residential housing proposed in new bills
The Rhode Island housing crisis continues to grow, as the Rhode Island House of Representatives announced a series of housing-related bills that will attempt to increase the amount of new residential housing in the state.
A series of bills was presented by House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, which includes tax incentives for developers, modifications to Rhode Island’s housing codes, and an examination of methods to make condominium ownership more accessible and affordable. Many lawmakers have said that Rhode Island has failed to meet its current housing demands for years and that there are increasing numbers of people who are unable to afford homes in their hometown or neighborhood of origin.
Proponents of the proposed legislation stated that these bills would help increase the speed of the construction process and provide more affordable housing throughout Rhode Island.
Researcher: Edith Hills
Writer: Edith Hills
Reporter: Gabby Iocca
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant
Rhode Island Celebrates Women’s History Month - Various events will be held celebrating the accomplishment of women in Rhode Island
Communities throughout Rhode Island will be recognizing Women’s History Month by holding various events celebrating the accomplishments of women during their history in Rhode Island.
This past Monday evening, local leaders came together at the Cranston Public Library to hold a celebration of women who have made an impact on education, community leadership and advocacy. Speakers pointed out that Women’s History Month was not just about celebrating the accomplishments of women from the past, but it was also about providing support for the future generations of leaders; Organizers said they wanted to highlight the progress that has been made by women, but also continue to strive for greater equality and opportunities for all women in Rhode Island.
Many more events, panel discussions and community programs are planned for the month of March as communities throughout Rhode Island honor the women who have contributed to shaping Rhode Island’s communities.
Researcher: Edith Hills
Writer: Edith Hills
Reporter: Sarah Price
Copy-Editor: Elizabeth Chant