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State of Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing

RHODE ISLAND EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HOUSING LAUNCHES HOUSING CHAMPIONS PROGRAM TO RECOGNIZE COMMUNITIES LEADING ON HOUSING

Published on Thursday, September 24, 2026

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing today announced that applications are officially open for Housing Champions, a new voluntary program that recognizes municipalities taking meaningful steps to support housing production and smart community development. 

“Rhode Island’s future depends on our ability to build strong, thriving communities where people can put down roots and businesses can grow,” said Governor Dan McKee. “That starts with making sure we have enough homes that are affordable for the people who live and work here. The Housing Champions program is an important step in building a stronger partnership between the state and our cities and towns as we work together to meet Rhode Island’s housing needs and create more opportunity for families across our state.” 

“Creating more housing takes all of us, and our municipalities are at the center of that work,” said Secretary of Housing Deborah Goddard. “The Housing Champions program recognizes communities that are stepping up to advance housing, trying new approaches and making thoughtful investments in their communities, and we want to celebrate that leadership and encourage communities to keep the momentum going. By recognizing and supporting local action, Housing Champions helps create the conditions for more homes, stronger neighborhoods and a better quality of life for Rhode Islanders.” 

Enacted by the Rhode Island General Assembly in 2025, Housing Champions celebrates local leadership while encouraging communities to continue taking action to expand housing opportunities across the state. 

“The Housing Champions program fills a gap in our housing policy by rewarding cities and towns that proactively adopt policies to encourage the production of housing,” said Senator Gu (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown). “Addressing our housing crisis is a team effort, and this program — modeled after similar successful efforts in Massachusetts and other states — encourages collaboration in addressing Rhode Island’s housing needs. I want to thank the Executive Office of Housing for quickly and effectively turning the bill Chairwoman Speakman and I sponsored into a working program.” 

“As the sponsor of the legislation that created the Housing Champions program, I am thrilled that the Executive Office of Housing has it up and running,” said Rep. June S. Speakman (D-Dist. 68, Warren, Bristol), chairwoman of the House Commission on Housing Affordability. “The program encourages municipalities to say yes to the housing that their residents need. It rewards communities that create policies and programs to encourage the development of housing that people can afford, particularly in places with access to public infrastructure and transit. It provides incentives to cities and towns to be part of the solution to our housing crisis and to help us move toward our goal of providing safe, comfortable, affordable housing for all Rhode Islanders. I am grateful to the Executive Office of Housing for making this program a reality.” 

Municipalities that earn the Housing Champion designation will receive preferential access to certain discretionary state funding opportunities, as available. Current participating programs includes the Executive Office of Housing’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG); the Executive Office of Commerce’s Main Street Rhode Island Streetscape Improvement Fund, Site Readiness Program, and Placemaking Initiative; the Department of Environmental Management’s Local Open Space Grants, Outdoor Recreation Grants, Brownfield Remediation and Economic Development program, and Recreational Trails Program; and the RI Infrastructure Bank’s Community Project Assistance Fund. 

“Housing is fundamental to Rhode Island's economic strength and competitiveness," said Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor. "Businesses want to ensure workers can find homes they can afford right here in Rhode Island, and housing development itself supports jobs, investment, and vibrant communities. We are proud to support the Housing Champions initiative through Commerce programs and to recognize municipalities that are taking thoughtful, proactive steps to expand housing opportunities and, in so doing, to further propel our economy forward.”  

“Expanding housing opportunities is a huge priority for Rhode Island, and we are working closely with the Executive Office of Housing to support thoughtful, community-driven growth,” said Department of Environmental Management Director Terry Gray. “We are pleased to support this important initiative by providing additional points in the upcoming Brownfields grant scoring processes for communities that are Housing Champions. The clean-up and redevelopment of Brownfields sites, including redevelopment as housing, brings vacant and underutilized properties back to life in our neighborhoods across the state and we have had many, many success stories in this program that have resulted in hundreds of new housing units.  The Brownfields grant process is just a start, and we look forward to recognizing Housing Champions with extra credit in our other important grant programs as well. When communities plan intentionally for housing, invest in the infrastructure needed to support growth, and create clean and healthy vibrant places to live, they lay the foundation for our long-term economic and community success.” 

“Through our Municipal Infrastructure Grant Program and other financing programs, the Infrastructure Bank has been proudly supporting Rhode Island communities investing in the basic infrastructure needed to support the development of new housing,” said William Fazioli, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank. “We look forward to partnering with the Executive Office of Housing and participating Housing Champion communities to meet the state’s housing production goals.” 

The Housing Champions program is voluntary, and municipalities may apply at their discretion, with applications accepted on a rolling basis. Applications will be evaluated through a points-based system that recognizes a range of local actions, including: 

  • Adopting housing-supportive zoning and land use policies consistent with Housing 2030; 

  • Adopting pro-housing comprehensive plans; 

  • Training planning and zoning board members; 

  • Investing in infrastructure that supports housing development, including sewer, water and electric infrastructure; 

  • Improving sidewalks, bike lanes and other infrastructure that supports walkable, transit-oriented neighborhoods; 

  • Implementing local financial incentives that encourage housing development and revitalization, which can earn bonus points. 

Municipalities interested in becoming a Housing Champion can review the program guidelines and submit an application here: https://housing.ri.gov/programs/housing-champions  

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