Narragansett resident Rupert Friday wants people to know he’s not a snob, and he’s not a one-percenter who wants to fight affordable housing development. He’s retired from a career in land use planning and the nonprofit sector – a background he draws on as a member of the town planning board. His wife is a […]
housing
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Gov. McKee’s education plan, Wickenden development dispute, and more
Rhode Island schools are struggling, leaving many students falling behind, and absenteeism is on the rise. We talk with Gov. Dan McKee, who hopes to change that with his new education plan, Learn365RI. And Providence appears to be moving forward with a hotly debated development on Wickenden Street. We hear about what it could mean, and why the City Plan Commission approved it despite neighborhood opposition. Also, why is UMass-Dartmouth leaving the Star Store in New Bedford, and how will it affect the city’s downtown? Plus, a look back on the week in politics; and a few tips on what to do this week.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
How to support homeless communities, adapting to warming waters, and more
Another homeless encampment has been shut down – this time by the city of Providence. We talk with an advocate about the challenges facing unhoused people in the state, and how to support those communities now. Also, an oceanographer tells us how warming waters are affecting our local fish populations, and how we can prepare for changes to come. And infighting over shoreline access and ownership of a lighthouse has led to the resignation of Westerly’s town council president. Plus, the week in politics; a local artist explores the relationship between freedom and ecology; and a few tips on things to do this week.
Posted inEpisode, The Weekly Catch
Shoreline access goes viral, a formerly homeless woman helps the unhoused, and more
Rhode Island’s fight for shoreline access went viral this week, with a TikTok video featuring a confrontation in Middletown between a beachgoer and property owner. We hear from the man behind the video. And what does a controversy over falsified signatures tell us about the integrity of voting in Rhode Island? Ian Donnis gives us the 4-1-1 on that and more from the week in politics. Also, a conversation with Rhode Island’s Housing Secretary, and a story from a formerly homeless woman who is now dedicated to supporting the unhoused. Plus, the Artscape team walked over to Weybosset Street where artist Michelle Perez was finishing a new mural. And we offer a few tips on what to do this week.
Posted inEpisode, Housing, The Weekly Catch
Offshore wind, housing insecurity in Newport, homelessness solutions in Woonsocket, and more
Rhode Island Energy this week dropped their plans to be part of another large wind farm project off the coast. But that’s not slowing down the push to put up more of these giant turbines to generate renewable energy. We’ll get the latest from South Coast Bureau Reporter Ben Berke. And, a look back on an eventful week in politics from Political Reporter Ian Donnis. Also, two stories about housing insecurity in Rhode Island—one from Newport Bureau Reporter Cheryl Hatch, about a man who was priced out of Newport, now living in his car; and another from Health Reporter Lynn Arditi, about Woonsocket’s latest effort to address homelessness in the city. Plus, Artscape Producer James Baumgartner looks at an immersive new exhibit at the Providence College Galleries, and offers a few tips on what to do this week.
Posted inArticle, Health
A ‘Dignity Bus’ from Florida arrives in Woonsocket, R.I. to shelter people who are homeless
A coach bus retrofitted with sleeping pods this week rolled into Woonsocket, R.I. The city bought the ‘Dignity Bus’ from a Florida nonprofit for $150,000 to help house people who are homeless. Health Reporter Lynn Arditi takes us inside. This story was produced for the ear. Please click the button above to listen. The transcript […]
Posted inEpisode, Local, Newport Bureau
Priced out of Newport, Jeffrey Marcus calls his SUV his home
Newport is one of the few communities in Rhode Island that exceeds the state’s mandate for affordable housing. Yet, local officials say Newport has a housing crisis and risks losing its diverse community, as tourists, part-time residents and investors drive up rents and home prices. It’s becoming more common for local residents to fall on hard times and more difficult for them to get back on track to find stable housing. In part five of our series “Falling Short: In search of affordable housing,” we hear the story of a man who’s struggled to make the city by the sea his home and is currently living in his car.
Posted inEpisode, Housing, The Weekly Catch
College diversity in post-affirmative action world, a fight over housing affordability in Charlestown, and more
How can Rhode Island schools cultivate diverse, inclusive learning environments, now that affirmative action has ended? State Senator and Brown University alum Tiara Mack offers her take. And South County Bureau Reporter Alex Nunes reports on the housing crisis in Charlestown, where residents are at odds over who’s to blame for skyrocketing rents and a lack of affordable housing. Also, we hear about a few highlights from this year’s Newport Classical Music Festival. Plus, a look back on the week in politics, and a few tips for what to do this week.
Posted inEpisode, Housing, South County Bureau
In Charlestown, limited progress and lots of discord on affordable housing
Like in other South County towns, home prices have skyrocketed in Charlestown in recent years, as young people and families are being priced out of a shoreline community that’s becoming increasingly attractive to out-of-state buyers. But Charlestown is also near the bottom of the heap with its neighbors in creating affordable housing. The town is divided over who’s to blame for that. In part four of our series “Falling Short: In search of affordable housing,” we hear how some say it’s part of an intentional effort in recent years to limit growth.
Posted inEpisode, Housing, The Weekly Catch
Documenting the pandemic, Middletown’s affordable housing problem, and more
An exhibit at the Providence Public Library shares images from a COVID-19 archive; a URI grad is priced out of his hometown; local musician Asher White plays a song from their latest album; the week in politics; and what to do this weekend.
