Rhode Island
Stabilizing rents can reverse rise in homelessness | Opinion
‘People’s State of the State’ gather to protest homelessness at Governor’s State Of The State.
Outside of Gov. Dan McKee’s State of the State address, the ‘People’s State of the State’ was held to bring awareness to homelessness in RI.
Homelessness is too often framed as a personal failure rather than a systemic one. That framing ignores the broader systems that determine who can access and afford housing, and it fuels policies that punish rather than prevent. If Rhode Island is serious about reversing the rise in homelessness, we need an emergency brake on the soaring cost of housing. Rent stabilization is one tool Providence can use to do that.
Decades of research show that rental housing costs are a strong predictor of homelessness. A federal study found that when rent increases just $100 between communities, overall homelessness – the number of people staying in shelters and living unsheltered – increases by 9%. The impact is even more pronounced when counting just those outdoors: in my research, the same rent increase is associated with a 28% rise in unsheltered homelessness. In plain terms, rising rents push more people out of stable housing and into homelessness.
Here in Rhode Island, these numbers are not abstract. Last January, 618 people were counted living outdoors, a 15% increase from the year before and nearly five times the number in 2020. When people staying in shelters are included, nearly 2,400 Rhode Islanders experience homelessness each night, a 35% increase in just one year. These figures reflect real and preventable public health harms, including exposure to extreme weather, exacerbated chronic illness, and increased risk of injury and death.
Meeting people’s immediate needs requires adequate shelter and investments in deeply affordable and supportive housing. Those steps are essential to protect people who are already unhoused. But focusing only on emergency responses is like bailing water from a boat that is still filling. Unless we slow the flow by addressing rapidly rising rents, homelessness will continue to grow faster than shelter systems can respond.
Providence has been named the least affordable metro area in the nation, with the fastest rent growth in the country. Leaders know housing costs are a top concern for voters. In response, the City Council is introducing a rent stabilization measure that would limit how much landlords can raise rents each year. If passed, it would provide renters with predictability and protection from sudden rent hikes, the kind that often trigger displacement and homelessness.
Opponents of rent stabilization argue that it reduces rental supply and discourages new construction. But these claims rely on outdated evidence. Modern rent stabilization policies – Providence’s proposal – exempt new construction and small owner-occupied properties, allow reasonable annual increases tied to inflation, and can account for rising costs such as property taxes or repairs. These policies can reduce displacement and stabilize communities without stopping housing development. This shift in thinking was reflected when 32 economists sent a letter in support of rent stabilization to the Biden administration, pointing to newer studies and urging policymakers to move beyond assumptions.
Rent stabilization is not a silver bullet. It will take broader action to fully address Rhode Island’s housing crisis and end homelessness. But it is a critical prevention tool – one that addresses a primary driver of housing instability before people lose their homes.
Homelessness is not inevitable. It is the predictable result of a housing system that prices out people with the fewest resources and the families who support them. We know what drives the problem. The question facing leaders is whether they are willing to act on what the evidence – and the human cost – make clear.
Molly Richard is an assistant professor of public health at the University of Rhode Island.
Rhode Island
Grow Smart Rhode Island leader reflects on decades of change in Rhode Island development – The Boston Globe
Q: When Grow Smart Rhode Island launched in 1997, the state’s political conversation was very different. What has changed most about the way Rhode Island’s elected leaders, the business community, and residents think about growth and development since then?
Wolf: There’s been growing acceptance by our elected and civic leaders of the benefits of prioritizing development and redevelopment in our Main Streets, downtowns, and other areas with infrastructure and access to key services. There’s also increased recognition that Rhode Island can and should aim high when it comes to community and economic development – that we have significant assets to safeguard and capitalize upon, ranging from our vast collection of historic buildings in pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, to our transit and public health-friendly compact development patterns, along with our deep water ports, exceptional urban/rural balance, and strategic location along the northeast corridor.
Q: You’ve spent decades trying to shape public policy in Rhode Island. What’s something that happened over the last quarter-century that surprised you — either because progress came faster than expected or because it took much longer than you thought it would?
Wolf: My biggest surprise has been how challenging it has been to persuade a critical mass of Rhode Island’s leaders that making significant investments in a more robust and integrated public transportation system is a sound move, with major short and long-term dividends. Our failure so far to fund RIPTA enough for it to be a viable transportation choice for a lot more Rhode Islanders is a substantial missed opportunity. Fortunately as a state I think we’re getting closer to recognizing this and doing the necessary course correction.
Q: Every long career leaves behind a few projects that never quite got across the finish line. What issue or opportunity do you most wish Rhode Island had tackled more aggressively during your time at Grow Smart?
Wolf: Several within the transportation sector, most notably implementing aggressively the thorough, sound, and bold State Transit Master Plan, an excellent blueprint both for doubling the daily frequency and duration of RIPTA service, and establishing an 18-mile light rail or dedicated bus line through the most populous part of Rhode Island.
Compared to most of our New England neighbors, our state has also under invested in our bike and pedestrian network. This has negative implications for our collective public health, tourism marketability, and talent recruitment/retention.
And finally, I believe we could’ve further expanded economic opportunity and smart economic growth by seeking to execute detailed and well-vetted plans to improve dramatically commuter rail service between Providence and Boston.
Q: You’ve spent nearly three decades helping Rhode Islanders think about housing, transportation, downtowns, and economic opportunity. As you look ahead, what challenge — or opportunity — do you believe will define Rhode Island’s next 20 years, and where do you hope to contribute?
Wolf: I think a key to strengthening Rhode Island’s economy and quality of life over the next 20 years will be further integrating our state strategically with the nearby economic powerhouses of metro Boston and metro New York, and doing so in a way that avoids exacerbating our housing crisis or losing our own beauty, magic, and soul. There are several ways I think I can contribute to this important needle threading exercise, including:
- Continuing to be a sharer of smart growth best practices from within and outside Rhode Island;
- Being an advocate and thought leader for better regional transportation and employment connectivity, as well as for housing and transit-friendly investments land use reforms that accelerate the revitalization of our downtowns and Main Streets and defy the predictions of population decline;
- Mentoring a new generation of creative economic and community development change agents.
This story first appeared in Rhode Map, our free newsletter about Rhode Island that also contains information about local events, links to interesting stories, and more. If you’d like to receive it via email Monday through Friday, you can sign up here.
Dan McGowan can be reached at dan.mcgowan@globe.com. Follow him @danmcgowan.
(WJAR) — Who is Rhode Island FC Head Coach Khano Smith?
“I think to my core little boy from Bermuda, a small island. Still very much connected to my family, all my families there. Really close to his family. Really close to his mom. I have a daughter, she’s 20. Have a dog. I love dogs. Love soccer. Soccer is my hobby and my job.
At 6’5. The 45-year old’s mom is still the towering force in his life. He recalls a story of him as a young student back home.
Rhode Island FC Head Coach Khano Smith spoke with NBC 10’s Dan Jaehnig. (WJAR)
“My grades were dropping and my mom was trying to figure out a solution. She tried everything. She sat in class with me one day.”
At age 14 she sent her son from the warmth of Bermuda to a boarding school in Maine.
“Yeah, I was probably a terrible 14-year-old. That was the only time I didn’t call my mom on her birthday because I was still upset.”
But mother knows best.
“Yeah, it was the best thing she could have done for me. It taught me to grow up quickly. It taught me to be independent.”
Then to North Carolina for college playing soccer. After two successful seasons in Bermuda, he played for the New England Revs, then in 2023 the head coach and general manager of Rhode Island football club. The pressure is there.
“Yeah, but then you need to realize how fortunate you are and stick to the long term and for me you just need to stay grounded and stay in the middle. Never get too high and never get too low.”
He’s passionate about the game, the club and connects with his players. He has been there. He is hard on himself still.
“The goal of chasing perfection, like I know you can never achieve it, but you can always just chase it.
Off the field the single 45-year-old father of a 21-year-old who lives with her mom in Bermuda is challenged with the lack of time to do it all. He prefers to be single and spend time with his dog.
When he is not watching soccer, “Dances with Wolves” is his favorite movie.
Rhode Island FC Head Coach Khano Smith and his mom. (WJAR)
“He is with a group of people that he becomes friends with and becomes friends with a dog. And then he ends up becoming one of those people. I think it was probably at the time impressionable in my life.”
Michael Jordan is his favorite athlete because of his mindset.
When you sit and talk with him you learn that Khano Smith is self-aware. He knows who he is. A little boy from Bermuda who is following his dream.
When asked about what that little boy would think of him now.
“I think, I think he would admire me. I think he would be yeah, I wanted to do that and I think I’ve been fortunate.”
The Real Housewives of Rhode Island Season 1 reunion looks are finally here! And the shell-holders look amazing in their ocean-inspired gowns in varying shades of blue hues.
Cast members Alicia Carmody, Rosie DiMare, Ashley Iaconetti, Liz McGraw, Rulla Nehme Pontarelli, Kelsey Swanson, and Jo-Ellen Tiberi all donned their most fabulous fits for their first-ever sit down with Andy Cohen. And every one of the ladies delivered with their dresses, opting for different textures and shades of their blue gowns.
The women looked so stunning in their ensembles. Some, like Alicia and Kelsey, opted for sequins. Others, like Ashley, Jo-Ellen, and Rulla, went for some intricate beading. Meanwhile, Rosie and Liz chose unique textures for their looks. The ocean also inspired their hair too, with most women going for beach-y waves, while Ashley went for a sleek ponytail.
Read on to get all of the details from their ensembles and see their fabulous outfits down below.
Alicia Carmody
Dress: Rat & Boa; Shoes: Jimmy Choo; Jewelry: Hannoush Jewelers; Makeup Artist: Cara Valente; Hairstylist: StephDstyle
Alicia explained to BravoTV.com that she wanted to go full mermaid with her light blue, cowl-neck dress, covered in paillette sequins. “I love a mermaid,” she said backstage. “And so my look today is inspired by a mermaid. A Rhode Island mermaid.”
Rosie DiMare
Dress: Albina Dyla; Shoes: Arnoconti; Jewelry: Baxter’s Jewelry; Makeup Artist: Cara Valente; Hairstylist: Steph Demato
Rosie explained to BravoTV.com that her first ever reunion look, comprised of a light blue off-the-shoulder gown covered in 3D floral embellishments was very true to herself. “My reunion look is very princess-y. Very floral. Very Rosie,” she stated.
Ashley Iaconetti
Dress: ASHLEYlauren; Shoes: Nina; Jewelry; Jennifer Karimi; Stylist: The Stylist Duo; Makeup Artist: Erica Wright; Hairstylist: Jennifer Karimi
Ashley told BravoTV.com that she felt like a Disney princess in her bright blue beaded gown with off-the-shoulder beaded sleeves and silver heels. “My look, my outfit is so mermaid. It’s a very heavily bejeweled blue dress. I feel like Ariel in her wedding scene with Prince Eric,” she explained.
She complemented this dress with a more toned-down makeup look. “For makeup, I’m doing this look I did a couple of weeks ago for press. And it was so nice and relatively natural looking so love that,” she added backstage.
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Liz McGraw
Dress: L’IDÉE WOMAN, Sleeves: Graehme Alden; Makeup Artist: Kasey Spickard; Hairstylist: Kevin Kelly
Liz explained to BravoTV.com that had two looks to choose from for the reunion, one that brought “fire” and one that brought “ethereal” vibes. “I went with the angelic one because we don’t need any more anger from Elizabeth,” she quipped of her long-sleeved light blue gown with a pleated texture.
Rulla Nehme Pontarelli
Dress: Tabja Couture; Shoes: Jimmy Choo; Jewelry: Ross Simmons (Diamonds and Estate Collection); Stylist: Erin from Bravo; Makeup Artist: George Miguel Arnone; Hairstylist: Julius Michael
Rulla told BravoTV.com via email that she was going for an “elegant, sexy, chic” vibe with a “coastal feel” for her first reunion look. “I just wanted the best look possible and to feel like ‘me.’ And I think we nailed it!” she added.
Kelsey Swanson
Dress: J’amemme; Shoes: Schultz; Makeup: Erika Wright; Hair: Erickson Arrunategui
Kelsey admitted to BravoTV.com that she went for a more simple look with her bright blue, halter-neck, sequin gown. “The dress kind of has a wet look to it. It’s sequins, it’s simple,” she explained backstage. “But the fact that it’s wet is why we’re doing the wet look for the hair.”
Jo-Ellen Tiberi
Dress: Jovani; Shoes: Valentino; Jewelry: David Yurman; Stylist: Anthony Palmeri; Makeup Artist: Priscilla Distasio; Hairstylist: Kauri Sartini
Jo-Ellen told BravoTV.com via email that she was inspired by movement with her outfit. With this look, she channeled “an underwater goddess brought to life by crystals, couture, and a sculpted silhouette that moves like the ocean.”
Meet the RHORI Season 1 Cast (Official Bios and Photos)
Get a look at the RHORI Season 1 reunion seating chart ahead of the reunion.
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