Plans to turn the Winnapaug Country Club into something bigger and more profitable have once again found themselves in the rough. The owner and would-be developer of the 120-acre golf course, Winn Properties, has long wanted to do something more with it. But Winn’s redevelopment plans have repeatedly failed to win approval from town planners. “It’s […]
affordable housing
Could this city be the model for how to tackle the housing crisis and climate change?
Vienna has a way to make affordable housing and combat climate change all at the same time. Now U.S. cities want in, and they’re building their own green housing.
Johnston sued over its plan to stop affordable housing complex
Hours after the town of Johnston said Monday that it planned to take a 30-acre plot by eminent domain to build a new municipal complex, the plan was challenged in federal court. The libertarian-leaning nonprofit the Pacific Legal Foundation says it’s suing the town on behalf of the landowners, who want to build an affordable […]
Live/work: How the housing shortage threatens Providence’s identity as the ‘creative capital’
The old mill buildings of the Olneyville and Valley neighborhoods in Providence were once the home to hundreds of artists. Back in the 1990s, space was cheap in the old mills and many artists were happy to live and work in these run-down post-industrial spaces. But starting in the early aughts, artists faced evictions as many of those buildings were torn down or converted to luxury loft apartments or condos. So what’s available now?
How large-lot zoning contributes to Rhode Island’s big housing shortfall
The corner of Gardiner and Ten Rod Roads in Exeter looks a lot like a place to take a hike. It’s wooded, quiet, and abuts 26 acres of densely grown trees. “It certainly would make a great nature preserve,” Colin Penney, executive director of South County Habitat for Humanity, said on a recent visit to […]
¿Qué sabes sobre el alojamiento asequible en Rhode Island? Dinos.
The Public ‘s Radio quiere oír de ustedes sobre cómo están tratando acceder a alojamiento asequible. A medida que el estado de Rhode Island invierte millones de dólares en la construcción de miles de nuevos alojamientos asequibles, queremos entender qué sucede una vez que se construyen las unidades y las personas solicitan vivir en ellas. […]
What do you know about affordable housing in Rhode Island? Tell us.
The Public’s Radio wants to hear from you about what it’s like to try and access affordable housing. As the state pours millions of dollars into constructing thousands of new affordable homes, we want to understand what happens once the units are built, and people apply to live in them. We created this short questionnaire […]
Providence Mayor Smiley to education critics: we made ‘as much progress as we can afford to make this year’
TRANSCRIPT: This transcript has been edited for length and clarity. Luis Hernandez: All right, let’s get into education. I didn’t know this; I learned, it was about 25 years ago when a new consensus emerged on the need to improve Providence schools. And then, of course, five years ago, the state takes control of the […]
An app for addiction treatment, Narragansett’s affordable housing problem, and more
Rhode Island has one of the nation’s highest rates of overdose deaths involving cocaine, a problem the state is trying to address with a new smartphone app. But is it reaching those most in need? Also, the town of Narragansett has one of the lowest percentages of affordable housing in the state. We hear about some steps taken earlier this week by the town council intended to address the housing shortfall. And RISD is celebrating its second Black Biennial. We’ll hear from the co-curator who is seeking to break down the walls between the institution and the surrounding community. Plus: the week in politics, and a few things to do this week.
Narragansett approves short-term rental restrictions, affordable housing bond
The town of Narragansett has adopted a new ordinance that has significant implications for property owners and summer vacation renters in the beach town. Under the new rules, property owners will be prohibited from renting out a unit for less than seven nights at a time. The rules were approved in a 3-1 vote, with […]


