Update on Local Resistance to Low- and Moderate-Income Housing
Many Rhode Island municipalities have introduced, and some have passed, resolutions opposing the latest state efforts to increase housing production and address housing affordability.
On September 14th, the Warren Town Council heard from several residents who spoke in support of more affordable housing and against a resolution that will slow down progress.
Housing affordability is a statewide challenge, and no single town can solve it alone. But every town can contribute! Every community has a role to play in creating places where families, workers, seniors, and young people can afford to live.
CLICK TO VIEW THE RESOLUTION
“The facts in Warren speak for themselves: according to the most recent Housing Works Report, an annual household income of $174,943 is needed to afford a median priced home in our town; and an income of $107,680 is needed to afford the rent for an average 2- bedroom apartment. Lower and middle income folks are effectively precluded from both owning and renting here.” - John Mensinger, Warren Resident
“Since I’ve moved to Warren in 2022, my rent has gone up $497 a month. When I sign my new lease, that will be more than $5,000 a year. I’m a single professional, and I’d like to stay in Warren, I like it here, but every year my rent is going up and there doesn’t seem to be any relief at all. . . I’m not even someone who is in low income housing, but I can’t keep up. It’s getting really hard, and I’m not sure what’s going to happen to me.” – Colleen Donnovan, Warren Resident
“48% of renters (in Warren) pay more than 40% of their income on their home. So clearly, in this town, for people living here, there aren’t enough units to give people the relief they need.. .This is a problem that we share, and I don’t believe this resolution gets us to solving this problem” - Representative June Speakman
Colleen Testifying against the Warren Resolution. Watch the full Warren Town Council Meeting here.
If you would like help creating testimony or an op-ed against resolutions like this one, please get in touch, and help spread the word to your network!
