South Kingston Council discusses affordable housing plans with Union Studios and Peregrine Group

South Kingstown is taking significant strides towards addressing its affordable housing crisis, as highlighted in a recent workshop held on April 24, 2025. The town council convened with Union Studios and the Peregrine Group to refine plans for utilizing vacant properties, including South Road School, Wakefield School, and the Oliver Watson property, to create new housing options.

Town Manager Jim Manny emphasized the urgency of the initiative, stating that affordable housing is a top priority for the council. He noted that the Rhode Island Department of Housing's recent report, "Housing 2030," calls for South Kingstown to construct 477 new housing units over the next five years, with 72 designated as affordable. Manny expressed optimism about meeting these goals, citing ongoing projects that align with this vision.

The workshop served as a platform for community engagement, with previous meetings held to gather input from stakeholders. Jeremy Lake from Union Studios reiterated that the purpose of the discussions is to explore feasible options for the sites, rather than finalize a plan. He described the process as an illustrative exercise to help the council understand potential developments and prepare for future partnerships with developers.

As the town moves forward, the focus remains on creating a balanced approach to housing that meets the needs of the community while adhering to state guidelines. The next steps will involve further refining the proposals based on community feedback and preparing requests for proposals (RFPs) to attract development partners. This initiative marks a pivotal moment for South Kingstown as it seeks to enhance its housing landscape and address the pressing need for affordable options.