Rhode Island has faced a housing shortage for decades, and despite efforts to address it, the problem is getting worse. Today, thousands of people in Rhode Island are homeless, thousands more homeowners and renters are living in unsecure conditions, and home prices continue to skyrocket. The state needs to build more housing, but one of the biggest factors stifling that process is zoning. It’s the focus of our new series, Zoned Out. Also, we visit New Bedford’s Patio de Comidas, a summer-long celebration of Central American cuisine. It culminates this weekend with the Festival Tipico de Guatemala. Plus: A look back on the week in Rhode Island politics with political reporter Ian Donnis, and our picks for what to do this week.
Links:
- How large-lot zoning contributes to Rhode Island’s big housing shortfall
- Zoned Out: Zoning and Rhode Island’s housing shortage
- El Patio de Comidas: Summer-long celebration of Central American cuisine provides a launch pad for local businesses
- Rhode Island Women’s Choreography Project: “Here and Now” (Aug. 24-25)
- Rhode Island Folk Festival (Aug. 25)
- Elizabeth and Ben Anderson perform at Blackstone River Theater (Aug. 25)
Guests:
- Michael Neal, senior fellow at the Urban Institute’s Housing Finance Policy Center
- Ian Donnis, The Public’s Radio political reporter
The Weekly Catch is a production of The Public’s Radio. Our host is Luis Hernandez. Our assistant producer is Joe Tasca. Our producer is James Baumgartner. Our editor is Mareva Lindo. Thanks to Maddie Mott for our podcast artwork. Our Chief Content Officer is Sally Eisele, and our President and CEO is Pam Johnston.
Listen to The Weekly Catch every Friday at 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. You can also find it in your podcast feed of choice on Friday afternoons. Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or use this RSS feed for your podcatcher of choice.
Got a question, comment, or suggestion? We’d love to hear from you. Email us: weeklycatch@thepublicsradio.org. Follow or reply to us at @thepublicsradio on Instagram, X (Twitter), or Facebook.
Click here to support nonprofit local journalism by donating to The Public’s Radio!
