Housing Forward
Welcome to Housing Forward!
Housing Forward is a new, free, and optional resource for Rhode Islanders who help shape housing in their communities, including municipal leaders, planners, elected officials, developers, housing organizations, property owners, advocates, and residents.
The Executive Office of Housing invites you to watch the introductory video below and explore this webpage to learn more about Housing Forward, deepen your understanding of housing, and build local capacity to support the housing needs of your community and Rhode Island as a whole.
By participating in housing Forward, you can earn:
- Extra points equal to ten percent of total points available in the scoring of Housing Champions applications.
- 1.5 AICP Credits per session
- 1-hour annual update credit for the Rhode Island Local Officials Training Program (RILOTS)
Housing Forward includes:
A Housing Workbook
The Housing Workbook will include eight sections intended to be a practical guide to key concepts and ideas. Chapters in the workbook include: Housing Forward: Context & Framework, Understanding Your Community's Housing Needs, Fair Housing Laws to Local Decision Making, The Role of Local Government, Land Use & Regulatory Tools, Funding & Financing, Other Local Tools, and Building Local Support.
The Housing Forward Workbook is coming soon.
Roundtable Discussions
Roundtable discussions will give participants an opportunity to discuss topics, ask questions, share challenges, and explore issues that arose throughout the training series in a collaborative, peer-learning environment.
More information on the Roundtables, including dates, times, and locations can be found here.
Housing 101 Videos
Housing 101 Videos will provide a foundation in housing fundamentals, legal and regulatory framework, how local housing decisions are made, and strategies for understanding and responding to the unique housing needs of each community.
Housing 101 Videos are coming soon.
Myth Busting Sheets
Myth Busting Sheets will address common misconceptions about housing, provide clear, data-driven information, and help communities have more informed and productive conversations about housing development. Topics will include: Traffic, Stormwater and flooding, Septic, Wastewater, and Groundwater Quality, Taxes/Municipal Financing, Housing Supply/Filtering, Property Values, Drinking Water, Wells, and Aquifer Capacity, School Enrollment, and Character and Architecture.
Myth Busting Sheets are coming soon.
Webinars
Webinars focus on three topics: Local Tools for Housing, Finding and Financing, and Building Public Support, and were offered as live 90-minute sessions designed to provide individuals and communities with the information, tools, and resources they need to better understand housing opportunities and support housing solutions in their communities.
Webinar recordings and more information can be found here.
Case Studies
Case Studies include twelve examples of how Rhode Island municipalities have approached local housing needs and challenges, and offer practical examples communities can consider as strategies, tools, and solutions. Case studies include both videos and written stories from communities and housing leaders.
Three Case Studies are currently available and can be found here. Additional Case Studies will be available soon.
Housing Forward exists to help communities understand their housing needs, bring clarity to the laws that govern local planning and land use, and identify housing strategies that fit their places and how to implement them. The program covers needs assessment, fair housing, the role of local government, land use tools, funding and financing, other municipal tools such as housing trusts and redevelopment, and building public support. Case studies show projects built in Rhode Island communities.
The program was developed by Weston & Sampson with HousingWorks RI and Grow Smart Rhode Island, on behalf of the Executive Office of Housing.