Warren advisory committee maps potential sites, seeks funding contacts for affordable housing

The Warren Affordable Housing Advisory Committee gave its first formal update to the council after six months of meetings.

Committee chair David Bolster reported officers and a meeting schedule are in place and that the group has compiled a map and database of potential sites within the town’s infrastructure perimeter. The committee plans targeted outreach to property owners and to convene developers and financing experts to explore projects that could yield subsidized affordable units.

Bolster said the committee had briefings from state and regional experts, including a representative from Rhode Island Housing’s new Proactive Development unit, a housing planner from Weston & Sampson who prepared the town’s housing production plan, and state Rep. June Speakman on funding opportunities. The committee intends to create a list of local architects, planners and developers and to encourage projects that use existing infrastructure so as to avoid consuming open space.

Council members raised capacity questions for town services (sewer, police, schools) and asked that outreach materials be shared with the town solicitor before they are mailed. The committee said it will first send a small batch of letters to eight property owners from a larger set of roughly 100 candidate parcels identified by plat‑map review and field surveys.

Why it matters: Warren’s advisory committee is focused on producing shovel‑ready options, connecting owners and developers with funding, and prioritizing redevelopment within existing infrastructure. The committee does not commit town funds on behalf of property owners but will help coordinate potential projects and funding sources.

Next steps: Committee will circulate the draft outreach letter to the solicitor for review, begin the first set of owner contacts and report back to council with any developer or funding commitments.