The Rhode Island Association of REALTORS® promotes legislation aimed at maintaining a healthy housing market through bills that protect consumers during a real estate transaction and reduce barriers to building in the Ocean State. As professionals whose careers center on housing, REALTORS® understand that the health of Rhode Island's housing market matters -- it matters to our citizens, it matters to our communities, and it matters to our economy.

Unfortunately, we now face a shortage of affordable housing. There are solutions, but we need all Rhode Islanders to work together for laws and regulations that keep our housing market vibrant and our communities strong. 

Each legislative session, the Rhode Island Association of REALTORS® (RIAR) Government Affairs Committee leads the efforts of the association's 6000 members in advocating for public policy and initiatives that provide housing opportunities. 

If you're interested in helping to ensure that our policymakers make informed decisions that enhance our housing market, we want to hear from you. Contact [email protected] to learn how we can work together to ensure that everyone has a place to call home.  

With home prices skyrocketing and rentals become increasingly scarce and more expensive, basic housing needs are at the forefront of the RI REALTORS® advocacy agenda. For several years, Rhode Island has been near the bottom of the list nationally in new home construction. Exorbitant fees and rampant zoning regulations have weakened construction in the Ocean State, particularly in the starter home sector. According to the 2025 Housing Fact Book by Roger Williams University, based on 2024 median single-family home prices, a household would need an annual income close to $130,000 to affordably buy a home in any Rhode Island municipality. This exceeds the median household income by more than $40,000.

Of particular interest, the share of institutional property owners in Rhode Island grew from 10.9% to 22.5% in the five years following the pandemic while nationwide figures remained stable, changing only from 15.1% to 15.7% according to data from the National Association of REALTORS. Rhode Islanders have also faced increased competition in the housing market from out-of-state buyers. In 2025, State-Wide MLS reported that buyers from other states accounted for 23% of Rhode Island's residential sales, with those from Massachusetts leading the migration. In the luxury market of $1 million and over, the percentage of buyers from other states is even higher at 41%.

Rental units are no easier to come by for those blocked from home ownership. Reports by Rent.com and others indicate that Providence ranks among the most expensive rental markets in the U.S., with rents rising faster than anywhere in the country. 

It's critically important that our housing market offers opportunities for renters, first-time buyers, and those who rely on affordable housing. If Rhode Island is to support a vibrant business community, it needs housing for its workforce.  Please join us in fighting for accessible housing for all Rhode Islanders. 

Thank you for your interest in our efforts to protect homeownership and private property rights. We want to hear your views. How can we work together? 

Contact us