Housing Resources
Why is Housing Affordability Important?
Housing affordability is a cornerstone of thriving, inclusive communities. When housing is accessible and affordable, individuals and families can achieve greater stability, pursue opportunities, and contribute to the local economy. Affordable housing fosters social and economic diversity, reduces homelessness, and strengthens community ties. It also helps to mitigate displacement, allowing long-term residents to stay rooted in their neighborhoods. By prioritizing housing affordability, we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live in safe, secure, and stable homes, building a foundation for a more equitable and resilient society.
Local Resources
The mission of the Housing Authority of the City of Newport, Rhode Island is to provide decent, safe, sanitary, affordable housing; and to promote home ownership, economic development, and economic self-sufficiency for public housing residents and a living environment free from discrimination and crime.
We offer housing assistance to those who qualify. Whether you are searching for housing for your family, an elderly or disabled relative, or subsidization for private housing costs, we are here to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have. We also offer facilities including a community center and a virtual learning center with internet access.
RIHousing strives to ensure that all people who live in Rhode Island can afford a healthy, attractive home that meets their needs.
A good home provides the foundation upon which individuals and families thrive, children learn and grow, and communities prosper. To achieve our mission we:
• Offer fair, affordable and innovative lending programs.
• Provide housing related education to consumers and others.
• Promote and finance sensible development that builds healthy, vibrant communities.
• Provide housing grants and subsidies to Rhode Islanders with the greatest need.
• Team up with partners to improve everything we do.
RIHousing uses all of its resources to provide low-interest loans, grants, education and assistance to help Rhode Islanders find, rent, buy, build and keep a good home. Created by the General Assembly in 1973, RIHousing is a privately funded public purpose corporation
The McKinney Cooperative Shelter has been providing services to the homeless of Newport County since 1988. The program serves a diverse population including individuals who are chronically homeless, suffer from mental illness, substance abuse, veterans, victims of domestic violence. Located on 15 Meeting St in downtown Newport the McKinney Shelter is open 24 hours, 7 days a week throughout the year.
The shelter a multi-tiered program providing housing for up to 41 people. In tier 1 there are 25 beds for men the and 6 for women, tier 2 consists of 16 beds for the men and 4 for the women. Our case managers work closely with the individuals providing advocacy and support to ensure that the clients needs are met. Our staff brings with it a wealth of professional experience and knowledge to help serve the homeless population.
HousingWorks RI (HWRI) at Roger Williams University is a clearinghouse of information about housing in Rhode Island. They conduct research and analyze data to inform public policy.
They develop communications strategies and promote dialogue about the relationship between housing and the state's economic future and our residents' well-being.
The mission of The Village Common of RI is to fundamentally change the experience of growing older here in RI by fostering the creation of communities of mutual support – villages – across the state and by directly supporting their long-term sustainability.
Short-Term Rentals
The issue of short-term rentals in Newport is complex, but the voices of residents are clear: they want homes in our community to be available for families and long-term residents, not primarily converted into short-term vacation rentals. The influx of short-term rentals can reduce the availability of affordable housing, drive up property prices, and alter the character of our neighborhoods. While short-term rentals play a role in our local economy, it's crucial that we find a balanced approach that protects the integrity of our residential areas, ensures housing availability for long-term residents, and preserves the fabric of Newport’s community for generations to come.
How many short-term rentals are in Newport?
According to the US Census Bureau, there are 13,466 total housing units in Newport. Per the short-term rental data analytics company, AirDNA, there are 1,618 total available rental listings. This means that short-term rentals account for roughly 12% of all housing units in Newport.