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 20 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.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the northernmost town of Aquidneck Island’s three municipalities, with Middletown and Newport to its south. As part of the island, it is accessible to the mainland via the Claiborne Pell Bridge, but is closest to the Mt. Hope Bridge which exits into the town directly. Routes 138 (East Main Road) and 114 (West Main Road) are the main routes traveling north and south. Route 114 connects to Route 24 (Fall River Expressway) and travels eastward into Tiverton and points north into Massachusetts. Portsmouth is a mix of rural and suburban neighborhoods, and relies substantially on commercial activity and services available in its neighbors to the south.
Living in Portsmouth:
Of the three Aquidneck Island communities, Portsmouth is the most predominantly single-family, owner-occupied. Recent multi-family developments are generally condominiums, but may represent some opportunities for rental. There are also several mobile home parks that may have affordable rentals.
TO USE YOUR VOUCHER HERE, THE TOTAL RENT CANNOT EXCEED:
| Zip Code/Place Name | SRO | 0 BR | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR | 5 BR |
| Portsmouth/02896 | $1,056 | $1,408 | $1,628 | $2,101 | $2,915 | $3,597 | $4,136 |
RENTAL LIMITS
TO USE YOUR VOUCHER HERE, THE TOTAL RENT CANNOT EXCEED:
| Zip Code/Place Name | |
| Portsmouth/02896 | |
| SRO | $1,056 |
| 0 BR | $1,408 |
| 1 BR | $1,628 |
| 2 BR | $2,101 |
| 3 BR | $2,915 |
| 4 BR | $3,597 |
| 5 BR | $4,136 |
GETTING AROUND
DAILY NEEDS + COMMUNITY CENTERS
| Town Hall | 2200 East Main Rd. 401-643-0499 |
|
Library |
2658 East Main Rd. |
| Post Office | 95 Chase Rd. |
| Police Department | 2270 East Main Rd. |
| Recycling Center | 2020 Hedly St. |
COMMUNITY CENTERS
| Nearest CAP: Eastbay Community Action – Lower Bay Region |
19 Broadway, Newport, Rhode Island 02840 401- 847-7821 |
|
Nearest YMCA: |
792 Valley Road, Middletown |
| Nearest DHS & SNAP Offices: Newport Regional Family Center |
DHS: 31 John Clarke Road, Middletown |
FOOD + SHOPPING
FOOD/b>
| Clements’ Marketplace | 2575 East Main Rd. |
| The Green Grocer (Health foods) | 934 East Main Rd. |
| Portsmouth Community Food Bank at St. John’s Lodge | 81 Sprague St. |
| See many other listings in Middletown and Newport. |
SHOPPING
|
Nearest Walmart |
199 Connell Hwy |
PHARMACY
| CVS | 10 Turnpike Ave. |
| Walgreens | 2456 East Main Rd. |
EDUCATION
DAYCARES, PRESCHOOLS AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE
|
Infant Care Programs |
Toddler Care Programs |
Preschool Programs |
After School Care Programs |
|
4 |
4 |
6 |
5 |
Find early learning programs >
Headstart Program: East Bay CAP program located at 740 West Main Rd., Middletown (approx. 7 miles, 16-minute drive)
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
District Report Card from RI Department of Education: District Code 27
| RIDE Rating | ||
| Howard Hathaway School Gr. K-4 |
53 Tallman Avenue |
★★★★☆ |
| Mellville Elementary School Gr. K-4 |
1351 West Main Road |
★★★★☆ |
| Portsmouth Middle School Gr. 6-8 |
125 Jepson Lane |
★★★☆☆ |
| Portsmouth High School Gr. 9-12 |
120 Education Lane |
★★★★☆ |
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
| Portsmouth Abbey | Gr. 9-12 |
| The Pennfield School | Gr. PK-8 |
| Aquidneck Island Christian Academy | Gr. K-12 |
| St. Philomena School | Gr. K-8 |
BANKS
| BankNewport | 2628 East Main Rd. |
MEDICAL SERVICES
|
Lifespan Urgent Care |
1360 West Main Road, Middletown 401-606-3110 |
|
Ocean State Urgent Care |
67 Valley Road, Middletown |
|
Southcoast Health Middletown Urgent Care |
670 Aquidneck Ave #7, Middletown |
|
Newport Hospital |
20 Powel Ave., Newport |
PLACES OF WORSHIP
| Protestant Church | 5 |
| Catholic + Episcopal Church | 6 |
| Nearest Synagogue | Middletown (approx. 7 miles, 14-minute drive) |
| Nearest Mosque | Fall River, MA (approx. 11 miles, 15-minute drive) |
RECREATION
Portsmouth Parks and Recreation Department
OUTDOOR SPACES
| Glen Park |
| McCorrie Point Beach |
| Sandy Point Beach |
| Teddy Beach |
| Island Park Beach |
| Mellville Upper Pond |
ARTS + OTHER PROGRAMS
| Portsmouth Arts Guild | The Guild offers monthly exhibitions of work from both members and non-members as well as varying number of art classes and workshops at the parish hall of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. |
| Portsmouth Community Theatre | Offers adults and children the opportunity to experience live theater BY and FOR their own community. |
| Common Fence Point Arts, Wellness, and Community Center | May only be open to residents of CFP. |
