Housing Choice Voucher Program

Guide to RI Communities – New Shoreham

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.

The Town of New Shoreham is more commonly known as Block Island, though that is technically the name of the island itself. This town, accessible only by ferry or boat to the main land, is a self-contained community that is proud of its independence and resilience. Its population of under 1,000 residents multiplies significantly during the summer with its seasonal occupants and tourists. The town center is the heart of the community.

Living in New Shoreham:
In recent years, New Shoreham has made strides in seeking to accommodate its seasonal workforce and other lower income residents; however, housing on the island remains very tight.

To use your voucher here, your rent cannot exceed the Fair Market Rate.

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: 


None.


Driving times by car (average)


Only accessible through ferry.

Daily Needs

Town Hall16 Old Town Rd.
401-466-3200
Library 9 Dodge St.
Post Office32T Water St.
Police Department10 Beach Ave.
Recycling Center14 West Beach Rd.

Community Centers

Nearest CAP:Tri-County Community Action Agency – Southern Region1935 Kingstown Road, Wakefield
401-789-3016
Nearest DHS/ SNAP Office:
South County Regional Family Center (Stedman Center)
4808 Tower Hill Rd., Wakefield
SNAP: 1-401-782-4300
DHS: 1-855-MY-RIDHS (1-855-697-4347)

Food

Block Island Grocery242 Ocean Ave.
Block Island Depot101 Ocean Ave.
Helping Hands Food Pantry at Harbor Church21 Water St.

Shopping

Nearest Walmart Supercenter1031 Ten Rod Rd., North Kingstown

Daycares, Preschools and After School Care

Infant Care Programs0
Toddler Care Programs1
Preschool Programs1
After School Care Programs0

Public Schools

RIDE Rating
Block Island School
Gr. K-12
High Street
★★★☆☆
Banks
Washington Trust123 Ocean Ave.
Block Island Health Services6 Payne Road, P.O. Box 919, New Shoreham
401-466-2974
South County Hospital100 Kenyon Ave., South Kingstown (Wakefield)
(401) 782-8020
Places of Worship
Protestant Church1
Catholic + Episcopal Church 3

HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM

Rhode Island Housing Subsidiary Corporations and Affiliates

Rhode Island Housing Subsidiary Corporations

  • Rhode Island Housing Development Corporation (occasionally LLCs are established with the Development Corporation as sole general partner on multifamily properties that RIHousing has taken over.)
  • Rhode Island Housing Equity Corporation
  • Rhode Island Housing Equity Pool II, L.P.
  • Rhode Island Housing Equity Pool, L.P.
  • University Heights Housing Corporation

Rhode Island Housing Affiliates

  • Affordable Housing Trust

These are not RIHousing entities, but we have a general partner capacity in each:

  • Ashley Estates Limited Partnership – RIH Equity Corp. is general partner
  • Erik Estates Limited Partnership – RIH Equity Corp. is general partner
  • Mohican Limited Partnership – RIHDC is general partner
  • Phebe Street Associates, L.P. – RIHDC is general partner
  • University Heights Apartments, L.P. – University Heights Housing is general partner

Mission Statement

RIHousing strives to ensure that all people who live or work in Rhode Island can afford a healthy, attractive home that meets their needs. A good home provides the foundation upon which individuals and families thrive, children learn and grow, and communities prosper.

To achieve our mission we:

  • Offer fair, affordable and innovative lending programs.
  • Provide housing related education to consumers and others.
  • Promote and finance sensible development that builds healthy, vibrant communities.
  • Provide housing grants and subsidies to Rhode Islanders with the greatest need.
  • Team up with partners to improve everything we do

RIHousing uses all of its resources to provide low-interest loans, grants, education and assistance to help Rhode Islanders find, rent, buy, build and keep a good home. Created by the General Assembly in 1973, RIHousing is a privately funded public purpose corporation.

Are you a Newport resident?

Check whether your current residence is located within an eligible census tract.

Newport-Census-Map

Only residents of census tract 405 are eligible for the FirstGenHomeRI pilot program.

The map on the left shows the approximated eligible region.

Unsure if your address is part of the eligible region?

Type in your address below to find out (Include street #, street name, Newport, RI).

Data mapped by PolicyMap, an online GIS mapping tool.

Do you live in Central Falls, Pawtucket, Newport or East Providence?

Check whether your current residence is located within an eligible census tract for application prioritization.

Applications from residents who live in the census tract listed below are prioritized.

Central Falls 44007010900, 44007010800, 44007011100, 44007011000
Pawtucket 44007016000, 44007015300, 44007015100, 44007015200, 44007015500, 44007016600, 44007016700, 44007017000, 44007017100, 44007016100, 44007016400
Newport 44005040500, 44005041100
East Providence 44007010100, 44007010501

Type in your address below to learn if you are in the targeted area. (Include street #, street name, city, RI).