Rhode Island
R.I. among three states where new housing construction was the slowest in 2024, new Census data shows – The Boston Globe
PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island was among three states in the nation where new housing construction was the slowest last year, newly released data from the US Census Bureau shows.
Among all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the Ocean State, with a 0.2 percent increase in housing units year over year, ranked 49th, behind only Illinois, also with 0.2 percent, and Hawaii at 0.1 percent, according to the data.
The numbers are a far cry from the state with the fastest growth, Idaho, with an increase of 2.2 percent. Utah followed at 2 percent and North Carolina at 1.9 percent.
Elsewhere in New England, Massachusetts, which ranked 43rd, a 0.4 percent year-over-year increase in housing units; Connecticut ranked 41st, with 0.5 percent; New Hampshire ranked 30th, with 0.6 percent; Vermont ranked 27th, with 0.7 percent; and Maine ranked 22nd, with 0.8 percent.
For Rhode Island, the bureau estimated there was an increase of only 922 housing units across in 2024, bringing the total number of units to 488,030.
In its annual report last month, the state Department of Housing said there were 485,533 total housing units in Rhode Island last year.
In an email to the Globe on Friday, Nick Freeman, the department’s interim chief of staff, wrote the agency is currently reviewing the Census data.
“In general, the data underscores the findings of our Housing 2030 plan and demonstrates why the plan establishes production goals, strengthens incentives for municipalities, addresses zoning and regulatory barriers, and calls for strategic investments to produce and preserve housing in Rhode Island,” Freeman wrote.
Last month, Governor Dan McKee laid out a new goal to add 15,000 new homes by 2030 – nearly double the number of units the state permitted between 2019 and 2023. Advocates and researchers have said, however, an additional 24,000 units are needed to close the state’s persistent affordability gap.
Freeman wrote the Department of Housing is optimistic the state will “make meaningful progress as new housing units come online in the coming years.”
“Rhode Island has seen a significant increase in permitting activity in recent years – reaching pre-Great Recession levels for [the] first time in 2023 and maintaining that progress in 2024,” Freeman wrote. “This is a direct result of the State’s recent financial investments and regulatory reforms.”
In the past four years, the General Assembly has passed nearly 50 new housing laws, aiming to lower barriers for development.
In a statement, Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi said there are a dozen more measures moving through the legislative process now.
But, prior to recently signed laws, the last “substantive land use legislation” the state saw was decades ago in the 1990s, Shekarchi said.
Since then, many communities have become more restrictive around housing they will permit, he said. Addressing the housing crisis will take years, Shekarchi said.
“The new Census data is sobering, but not surprising,” he said. “Rhode Island was dead last in the country for new housing starts for multiple years consecutively, and this data is reflective of that.”
The state is making progress though, he said, pointing to the 70 percent increase in building permits issued in 2023.
“The data is stark, but shows why doing nothing is not an option,” Shekarchi said.
Christopher Gavin can be reached at christopher.gavin@globe.com.
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 28, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Numbers numbers from June 28 drawing
Midday: 7-7-1-0
Evening: 6-7-5-2
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from June 28 drawing
04-05-07-13-32, Extra: 18
Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 28 drawing
04-11-31-54-58, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
- Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
- Winners of the Millionaire for Life top prize of $1,000,000 a year for life and second prize of $100,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
- Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
- Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form.
SEE IT: A great white shark feeds on a dead whale off the coast of Rhode Island, as the large creature comes across a whale carcass floating in the ocean.
RHODE ISLAND – It’s not often you can get so close to such a dangerous beast like a great white shark, but that is exactly what one boater was able to do in Rhode Island.
A large 15-foot great white shark was spotted feasting on a dead whale in the ocean off the coast of Rhode Island.
STAY SHARK SMART: WHAT TO KNOW WHEN YOU HEAD INTO THE WATER
Despite a reputation for inhabiting waters in Australia and South Africa, great white sharks can be found in temperate waters around the world, as their habitat preferences can change as they age, according to National Geographic.
Mexico, Great White Shark (Carcharodon Carcharias); Guadalupe Island.
(Dave Fleetham/Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group / Getty Images)
Video footage shared by Ian Shilosky shows many birds hovering around the whale carcass, trying to get a nibble without getting too close to the 15-foot beast.
SEE IT: SPERM WHALE CAUGHT ON CAMERA IN RARE ENCOUNTER OFF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST
The shark shows off its brutal strength, ripping large chunks from the whale with its 2 to 3-inch razor-sharp teeth, before diving underwater to consume its meal.
“White shark sightings are few and far between until a whale dies and then they seem to appear out of nowhere as this one did,” the Atlantic Shark Institute said on social media.
Great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), attacking tuna bait. Neptune islands, South Australia. (Photo by Auscape/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
(Auscape/Universal Images Group / Getty Images)
The great white shark grows slowly, with males maturing at around 26 years and females at around 33, according to NOAA.
These creatures range in age from 30 to over 70 years old, and they can weigh up to 4,500 pounds.
DEEP-SEA DISCOVERY UNCOVERS ONE OF THE LARGEST KNOWN WHALE GRAVEYARDS ON THE FLOOR OF THE INDIAN OCEAN
Great White Shark breaching at Seal Island, False Bay, South Africa
( Chris Brunskill Ltd/Corbis / Getty Images)
Adult great whites usually swim along shorelines where there is a known food source, such as seals or sea lions.
12-YEAR-OLD AMERICAN BOY ATTACKED BY SHARK WHILE VACATIONING IN THE BAHAMAS
As the largest predatory fish in the world, great white sharks tend to eat a variety of fish, rays, squid, seabirds, sea turtles, dolphins and more.
WARWICK, R.I. (WJAR) — Rhode Island’s Lego Fan Convention Returned to the West Warwick Civic Center.
Professional Lego artists from around the country displayed their creations and connect with fans.
There are meet and greet opportunities with Lego celebrities too.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION (2)
Fans can also show off their own skills in the event’s Brick Pits.
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