Upcoming events.
The Small Bites Series: Faith Based Housing - Site Plans and Opportunity
Small Bites is a virtual training series delivering relevant and valuable tools on the implementation of small-scale development.
Faith Based Housing - Site Plans and Opportunities Presented by Aaron Lubeck
Southern Urbanism founder Aaron Lubeck is one of the designers and builders leading congregational training of 20 selected churches this year through the Faith-Based Housing Initiative (faith-housing.org). He will walk through why these projects matter, and why faith housing is the most unprecedented opportunity in American townbuilding ever.
Learners Welcome! Pt. 1: The Economics of Building More Homes
Part 1 of a Training Series for Sustainable Growth at the Local Level: The Economics of Developing More Homes with Ivy Vann
Neighbors Welcome RI, in partnership with national experts, is offering a series of trainings that will dig into how housing impacts local communities. These trainings are open to all, but will be most valuable to Rhode Island public servants serving as elected or appointed leaders at the local level.
Celebrate with us! It’s the end of Session
It's officially summer, and we've got another year in the books! Join us as we celebrate the end of session at Track 15 in Providence.
Together, we'll recognize the pro-housing impact of Speaker Shekarchi, Chairman of the Land Use Commission and Municipal Planner Thom Deller, Housing Advocate Annette Bourne, and Executive Director or Grow Smart RI, Soctt Wolf.
South County Happy Hour
This free, family friendly event is a chance to meet your neighbors in South County! Find people near you who want to see more homes built in the area, and are advocating for changes to zoning laws to make it easier.
Hosted by Neighbors Welcome! RI, this is a casual way to learn more about what kind of laws will help make it easier to build sorely needed homes of all shapes and sizes, and spend time with community members.
This event is free to attend, but we ask that you RSVP so we know who to expect: https://actionnetwork.org/events/south-county-happy-hour/
Friends of NWRI Virtual Meeting - July 8
Join us on July 8th at 7pm for a virtual Friends of NWRI meeting. We will give an in-depth wrap up of where our bills ended up and discuss upcoming elections. We will also be giving members details on how to join our members' Discord server and details about how to stay engaged.
RSVP: https://actionnetwork.org/events/friends-of-nwri-virtual-meeting-3/
2026 Power of Place Summit
The largest and most diverse gathering of community changemakers in Rhode Island.
Friday June 26, 2026
8:15am – 6:00pm
@ Rhode Island School of Design
1 riveting keynote. 14 breakout sessions. 350+ fellow change agents. Opportunities to connect and collaborate? Unlimited.
Rhody Civics Club: Zoned In On Housing
The housing crisis Rhode Island currently faces is unprecedented--but not insurmountable. Join us to hear from experts on what's being done to address the issue. We'll cover research and ideas, proposed policy, current legislation, advocacy work, and more. And there will be snacks!
Neighbors Welcome! RI at Elliot's Ride
Find Neighbor’s Welcome! RI at Elliot’s Ride, and participate in our postcard campaign!
What do Rhode Islanders think about housing? Poll results presentation & panel discussion
Neighbors Welcome has commissioned a public opinion poll conducted by YouGov. In this webinar, representatives from YouGov will walk through the survey’s methodology and share key findings.
Following the presentation, a panel of state leaders including Representative June Speakman, Senator Jacob E. Bissaillon, Catherine Taylor of AARP Rhode Island, and Randy Rossi of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns will offer their perspectives and respond to the results.
Friends of NWRI Virtual Meeting
This month, Friends of Neighbors Welcome! will get insights from our recent poll, updates on bills that have been introduced at the State House, and discuss ways to participate in our Stand up for More Homes campaign.
Pro-Homes Lobby Day
Across Rhode Island, the message is clear: we need more homes. Families are feeling the strain of rising rents. Homeownership feels out of reach. Too many of our neighbors are being priced out of our communities.
Even as momentum builds for solutions, Rhode Islanders are left on the sidelines of the decisions that shape their neighborhoods. Legislative hearings are hard to attend, processes feel opaque, and the voices that show up don’t always reflect the broad, growing support for more housing.
On Thursday, April 16th, we're Standing Up for More Homes! Join us at the State House to let our legislators know that we support efforts to get more homes built.
Cranston Plan Commission meeting
Cranston City Plan Commission Meeting on April 7th will discuss several SUBDIVISIONS/LAND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
Yes to Wind Happy Hour
Climate Jobs RI, Climate Action RI and Green Energy Consumers Alliance host a get-together to celebrate Earth Month and OFfshore Wind’s Exciting new milestones
Tuesday, April 7
5:00–7:00 PM
Ragged Island Brewing, Portsmouth
Block By Block Film Series presents: Triple Decker: a New England Love Story
Neighbors Welcome! RI hosts its second installment of the Block by Block Film Series with a piece by local film maker Marc Levitt.
Join us at 5:30 for a reception, screening, and panel discussion.
This is a free event!
Light refreshment included.
Knightsville Public Forum
Knightsville Public Forum. RWU Students will be sharing analysis of zoning in the Knightsville neighborhood and its match with the neighborhood fabric. Resident feedback is invited to inform the future proposals to customize Knightsville zoning to Knightsville.
March 19, 6-7:30 pm at St Mary’s Feast Society, 15 Phenix Ave, Cranston, RI 02920
Friends of NWRI Virtual Meeting
We will discuss Neighbors Welcome's 2026 platform, answer questions, and brainstorm legislative advocacy strategies.
Preview of Our 2026 Legislative Platform
Minimum lot size reform
Parking reform
Conversion incentive
Technical fixes
House Hearing in Municipal Government and Housing
It's a busy week at the State House and we could use your help. Two of our 2026 housing priorities have their first committee hearing on Thursday and need a show of support from pro-homes Rhode Islanders.
For anyone able to join in person, members of the Neighbors Welcome team will be gathering outside the committee room from 4 PM onwards. Look for us in our green t-shirts; we will have extras!
Cranston Zoning Board Meeting
Ward 6
DOMAIN REALTY, LLC (OWN/APP) has filed an application requesting permission to construct a freestanding sign within the corner visibility setback and exceeding the allowable height at 846 Oaklawn Avenue.
Ward 1
HAUS CAPITAL, LLC (OWN/APP) have applied to the Board for permission to construct a two-family dwelling on an undersized lot at 0 Narragansett Blvd.
Cranston City Plan Commission Meeting
Zoom webinar information for remote participation: https://zoom.us/j/91042787708?pwd=LOyIS2xao7jHZ2wBp1lFdaeOO9x7ay.1 Passcode: 102860
All materials will be posted to the City’s website prior to the meeting at: https://www.cranstonri.com/departments/planning/
The entire meeting of the City Plan Commission will be live streamed on the City’s YouTube channel. You will only be able to watch the proceedings: https://www.youtube.com/@cityofcranston
Policy Kickoff Event!
Join us as we hear from community members on critical progress in home building across Rhode Island, and gear up for 2026!
Charlestown Planning Commission Regular Meeting
Charlestown Planning Commission Regular Meeting
Wednesday, December 17th at 7pm
Charlestown Town Hall, Council Chambers | Livestream available
North Kingstown Planning Commission Meeting
Tuesday, December 16th at 6:30PM | Town Hall
The North Kingstown Planning Board will have pre-application discussions on The Edge, a 66-unit major land development, and an application by Greene Farm LLC for Pleasant Valley Road (number of units not disclosed on the agenda).
Westerly Planning Board Meeting
The Westerly Planning Board will hear an Comprehensive Permit application for a multi-family development.
Tuesday, December 16th 2025 at 6:00 PM | Westerly Town Hall, Town Council Chambers
West Greenwich Planning Board Meeting
The West Greenwich Planning Board agenda includes a public hearing for Old Vine Estates for a request for a Variance on Minimum Lot Size in a Minor Subdivision. The project calls for up to 10 new housing units containing Inclusionary Zoning (15% affordable housing).
Monday, December 15th 2025 | 6:00PM Town Hall Council Chambers
Life After Cars presented by PVD Streets Coalition
Freeing Ourselves From the Tyranny of the Automobile, a live conversation with the hosts of The War on Cars podcast. Pre-show VIP meet and greet will begin at 6:00pm. Doors for general admission open at 6:30pm. The show will begin at 7:00pm. The event will end at 8:30pm. Pre-Show VIP event: Mingle in a private reception with Doug and Sarah before the show begins and enjoy reserved seating at the front of the house!
Cranston City Plan Commission Meeting
Cranston City Plan Commission Meeting
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 | 6:30 PM
City Hall, 3rd Floor Council Chamber | Hybrid format via Zoom
A Conversation on Why Nothing Works with Marc Dunkelman
A conversation with Marc J. Dunkelman, author of Why Nothing Works, on how we can move from frustration to function in our public institutions. With Sue Anderbois, Providence City Council; Liza Burkin, Founder of Providence Streets Coalition and Senior Designer of Neighborways Design; and Michael DiBiase, President & CEO of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council. Moderated by Seth Zeren, Co-Founder and Secretary of Neighbors Welcome! RI.
BLOCK BY BLOCK: A RI FILM SERIES FOR BETTER HEALTHIER CITIES
PREMIERING with a specially curated Better Cities Film Reel
Sept. 25, 5:30-8pm
30 Exchange Terrace Theater, Providence
Organized in partnership with Neighbors Welcome and Strong Towns Providence, and supported by the Rhode Island Department of Health.
Free Pizza and Drinks Provided. Discussion to Follow.
ZONING + COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
Sept. 17, 5-7:30PM
30 Exchange Terrace, 1st Fl, Providence
Learn more about new state laws passed in 2025, when they take effect, changes required at the local level and opportunities to make the most of them to benefit your community.
Free to Register. Light Meal Provided
Understanding 2025 Land Use Legislation: A Legal Briefing for Practitioners (Copy)
Join Housing Network and Homes RI as we celebrate this year’s housing wins and look ahead to what’s next. Close out the summer with good food and great company!