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New Shoreham sets rents and updates rules for Thomas property duplex units; low/moderate-income thresholds applied
Summary
Council accepted recommended rents for duplex units on the Thomas property, added low- and moderate-income eligibility language for public applicants, and agreed to adopt related occupancy and lease policies with minor clarifications on pets and vacate periods.
The New Shoreham Town Council on May 6, 2025 accepted recommended rents and revisions to tenant policies for duplex units on the Thomas property, incorporating low- and moderate-income eligibility thresholds established by Rhode Island Housing for public applicants. The council approved recommended rents of $1,100 for one-bedroom units and $1,500 for two-bedroom units and instructed staff to finalize a draft lease consistent with those amounts and the council’s comments.
Staff explained the duplex policies rely on zoning section 5-13 (town employee housing), which requires offering units first to town employees (including police), then to other categories and, only if no town need exists, to residents who meet low- or moderate-income limits. The policy’s Appendix B lists 2025 income thresholds the town will use to screen qualifying public applicants.
Council members and staff discussed whether to allow subletting and how to handle joint applicants. The council agreed to continue prohibiting post-lease subleasing (renting the unit to someone else after lease execution) but to allow two prospective occupants to apply jointly and be co-lessees from the outset.
The council asked that pet rules be handled by lease (prior approval required) and that the standard vacate grace period remain the town’s normal 30 days while recognizing the lease could reflect nuances for seasonal employees (for example, school staff). Staff said most questions about termination timing (for example, the end of a school year) will be resolved in the lease process and that leases will come to the council as part of the town’s standard consent process.
Council members said the rents and policies are intended to balance affordability for public employees (police and town staff), generate revenue for maintenance and debt service, and provide housing continuity for the island’s workforce. Staff signaled the agreement will feed into next year’s budget for operations and capital reserves.
