Voters across Rhode Island signaled their support for producing more affordable homes by approving the $65-million housing bond during the March 2 special election. This is an important win, but it is not a long-term, fix-all solution to address the state’s urgent housing crisis. Rather, it is an important first step and we need to build off this momentum.
Rhode Island’s legislature has the opportunity to create a permanent and predictable funding source to create housing year after year. There is no better time to get this done.
The housing shortage impacts individuals in every city and town, from Woonsocket to Westerly. According to the 2020 Housing Fact Book by HousingWorks RI, an essential health-care worker earning $45,000 a year cannot afford to buy a home in any city or town in Rhode Island.
