RI Housing Secretary Stefan Pryor speaks at news conference held at King Street Commons in Providence on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.
Screen grab from WPRI.com broadcast.
RI Governor Dan McKee speaks at news conference held at King Street Commons in Providence on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. Screen grab from WPRI.com broadcast.
By Amanda Pitts, Shaun Towne
WPRI.com
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee and newly appointed Housing Secretary Stefan Pryor gave an update Tuesday on efforts to create more housing in the state.
They did so while touring King Street Commons, a 62-unit affordable housing development in the Olneyville section of Providence. McKee and Pryor said they visited some of the homes and met with residents alongside ONE Neighborhood Builders President and Executive Director Jennifer Hawkins.
The goal, according to McKee, was to highlight the work being done not only there, but across the state over the next several years. The governor said he’s in the process of meeting with municipal leaders and housing is top of mind for them.
“I don’t believe there’s a community in the state of Rhode Island that does not want to do its part in terms of expanding its housing opportunities in the state,” McKee said.
For Pryor, it’s his first full week on the job after taking over for Josh Saal, who resigned last month amid heavy criticism. Pryor said that while there are enormous challenges ahead, this is a moment of opportunity for the state.
“Obviously, we didn’t wish for the challenges that the state faces on the housing front, but it has produced that mandate and we must seize the moment,” he said.
