HOUSING

We are all too keenly aware of how inflation and housing costs are crushing everyone looking for permanent lodging.

To start, it’s come to my attention since becoming Mayor that many current Warwick property owners who may qualify for some type of modest tax relief had no idea that programs were available. Please check out the exemptions here: https://www.warwickri.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif12206/f/uploads/available_tax_exemption_list_2022_1.pdf

If you don’t have a computer, or need help with the forms, please call the Tax Assessor’s Office at 738-2005 and they will be happy to help you! They are very busy, as you may imagine, so if you don’t reach someone immediately, please leave a message and they’ll call you back.

The good news is that, within the next year or two, we’ll see the completion of nearly 1,000 new units of housing in Warwick – some single family (example, the former Wickes Elementary School property), some “work-force” affordable (former Sheraton Hotel), and some brand new, beautiful apartments, with all kinds of amenities on the vacant properties next to Tavolo and where the Elizabeth Mill used to be (would I be a Rhode Islander if I didn’t reference at least one or two projects like that?!?!).

Some of these projects will be built on property that formerly could not be taxed. Many of these units will be in and/or around City Centre Warwick (our transit-oriented-development district) – but, no matter their location, the influx of new residents – and the potential out-of-state guests who will visit them - will support local business, and increase the need for additional supportive uses, like restaurants, salons, markets, dry cleaners…….the list goes on and on!