Guide to Rhode Island Communities
Housing Choice Voucher Program
As an RIHousing Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) holder, you have the ability to choose a rental home in one of 19 Rhode Island communities. We have created this guide to provide you with an overview of living in any of those communities. With a Housing Choice Voucher, you are required to pay 30-40% of your income towards rent. RIHousing will pay the balance of the rental payment directly to your landlord.

Charlestown
Newport
Newport is one of the most historic cities in the United States. It is located at the southern tip of “Rhode Island,” more commonly known by its Narragansett name of Aquidneck Island. Newport was founded in 1639 by followers of Roger Williams, and grew to be one of the largest of the four original settlements. Newport is Rhode Island’s most well-known tourist destination and is renowned for its historic mansions and sailing history.
Given its island geography, it is accessible by the Newport Claiborne Pell Bridge to the west (RI Rte. 138), and the Mt. Hope Bridge to the north (via RI Route 114 through Portsmouth and Middletown). It has a number of distinct neighborhoods, including the North End, the Point, Off Broadway, Top of the Hill, and the Historic Hill, to name a few. Its residents are also very engaged and civically active.
Living in Newport:
Newport has a more diverse housing stock than many RI municipalities, and a majority of renter households. It is also well-serviced by RIPTA, and is easily traversed on foot and bicycle. Affordability ranges widely, though, and has some of the oldest housing stock in the state outside of Providence.
To use your voucher here, your rent cannot exceed the Fair Market Rate.
Click here to view the latest rates.
What is the Fair Market Rate?
FMRs regularly published by HUD, represent the cost to rent a moderately-priced dwelling unit in the local housing market. The housing voucher tenant must pay 30 percent of its monthly adjusted gross income for rent and utilities, and if the unit rent is greater than the payment standard, the tenant is required to pay the additional amount.
GETTING AROUND
RIPTA:
- Route 14 Express Service to West Bay (North Kingstown, Warwick, Providence)
- Route 60 Express Service to both Providence and Newport
- Route 63 Urban Service within Newport and to Middletown
- Route 64 Urban Service to URI/Kingston and other points north and west
- Route 231 Flex Zone Service to Newport and Middletown
Driving times by car (average):
- Providence (35 miles)—50 minutes, plus toll
- Warwick (26 miles)—45 minutes, plus tolls
DAILY NEEDS + COMMUNITY CENTERS
City Hall |
43 Broadway |
Library |
Newport Public Library 300 Spring St. |
Post Office (3) |
169 Broadway, 320 Thames St. 1900 Peary St. |
Police Department |
120 Broadway |
Recycling Center | 80 Halsey St. |
COMMUNITY CENTERS
DHS & SNAP Offices: Newport Regional Family Center |
DHS Office: 31 John Clarke Rd., Middletown SNAP Office: 272 Valley Rd., Middletown |
Eastbay Community Action – Lower Bay Region | 19 Broadway 401- 848-6697 |
Edward King House Senior Center | 35 King St. |
Florence Gray Center | 1 York St. |
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center | 20 Dr Marcus Wheatland Blvd |
FOOD + SHOPPING
FOOD
Aldi’s | 872 W Main Rd, Middletown, RI 02842 |
Aquidneck Meat Market | 800 Aquidneck Ave # A, Middletown, RI 02842 |
Stop & Shop (3) | 199 JT Connell Hwy, 250 Bellevue Ave. |
Shaw’s | 71 E Main Rd, Middletown |
SHOPPING
Nearest Walmart |
199 JT Connell Hwy |
EDUCATION
DAYCARES, PRESCHOOLS AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE
For a full list of care providers, visit www.brightstars.org.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
RIDE Rating | ||
Claiborne Pell Elem. Sch. | 35 Dexter St. (Grades PK-5) |
★★☆☆☆ |
Frank E. Thompson Middle School | 55 Broadway (Grades 5-8) |
★★☆☆☆ |
Rogers High School | 15 Wickham Rd.(Grades 9-12) |
★★★☆☆ |
The Met East Bay School | 115 Girard Ave. (Grades 9-12) |
4-year graduation rate: 93.3% |
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
St. Michael’s Country Day School | 180 Rhode Island Ave (Grades PK-8) |
|
BANKS
Bank of America |
181 Bellevue Ave. |
BankNewport (3) |
10 Washington Sq. 528 W. Main Rd. 31 Conanicus Ave. |
Bank RI |
132 E. Main Rd. |
Citizens Bank (2) |
8 Washington Sq. |
Santander Bank |
292 Thames St. |
TD Bank |
553 West Main Rd. |
MEDICAL SERVICES
EBCAP Dental Center | 19 Broadway |
Ocean State Urgent Care of Middletown | 10 Washington Sq. |
Nearest hospital: Newport Hospital |
20 Powel Ave |
PLACES OF WORSHIP
Protestant Church | 14 |
Catholic, Episcopal & Orthodox churches | 7 |
Jewish Synagogue | 1 |
Nearest Mosque | South Kingstown |
Mormon Temple | 1 |
RECREATION
Newport Parks and Recreation Department
OUTDOOR SPACES
Fort Adams Brenton Point State Park |
Ballard Park |
Miantonomi Memorial Park |
Coddington Field |
Eisenhower Park |
Morton Park |
Freebody Park |
Dexter Street Park |
Easton’s Beach |
Second Beach |
Third Beach |
Hazard Beach King’s Beach |
Cliff Walk |
ARTS + OTHER PROGRAMS
Newport Art Museum | Education department with numerous programs including classes and workshops for youth and adults |
Newport Children’s Theatre | Newport Children’s Theatre and Newport County Teen Repertory Company |