In the heart of South Kingstown, a pressing conversation unfolded at the Town Council meeting, where community leaders gathered to address the urgent need for affordable housing. Roland Fiore, president of South County Sand and Gravel and a board member of the South Kingston Housing Authority, took the floor to voice his concerns about the current state of housing development in the area.

Fiore painted a stark picture of the housing crisis, revealing that the percentage of low and modest-income housing has plummeted to below 5%, far from the state's goal of 10%. He highlighted the alarming reality that there are currently 15 homeless children in the local school system, underscoring the immediate need for action. With the average home sale price hovering around $550,000 and many listings exceeding $750,000, he emphasized that affordable options are increasingly out of reach for many families.

The statistics he shared were equally troubling. South Kingstown issued only 75 building permits last year, a number he described as extraordinarily low for one of Rhode Island's largest geographic areas. Most of these permits were for single-family homes, many of which were priced well over a million dollars. Fiore pointed out that Rhode Island ranks last in the nation for building permits issued on a per capita basis, a fact that raises questions about the efficiency of the local development process.

Fiore urged the Town Council to streamline the building and development process, warning against adding more bureaucracy that could further complicate an already burdensome system. His call to action resonated with the council members, who engaged in a dialogue about the statistics he presented. One council member inquired about the addition of affordable units in the past year, noting that only five units were reported to have been added, a figure that Fiore acknowledged but deferred for confirmation from a housing board liaison.

As the meeting progressed, it became clear that the urgency for affordable housing in South Kingstown is not just a statistic but a pressing reality for many families. The discussions highlighted the need for collaborative efforts to address the housing crisis, ensuring that the community can provide safe and affordable living options for all its residents. The council's response to Fiore's concerns will be crucial in shaping the future of housing development in South Kingstown, as they navigate the complexities of bureaucracy and community needs.