A March 31 Town Council special meeting has been scheduled to discuss the latest affordable housing plans in #MiddletownRI. Public input is welcome and come see the updated designs from Pennrose for 650 Green End Ave. and 26 Oliphant Lane.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING DISCUSSION ON MARCH 31
MIDDLETOWN, RI (MARCH 26, 2025) – Affordable housing is on the Town Council’s agenda for Monday, March 31.
Given the amount of interest in the topic locally, the council set a special meeting for 6 pm from the council chambers in Town Hall to go over the latest.
At that meeting, the town’s consultants Pennrose are expected to provide details on updated plans to convert town-owned property at 650 Green End Ave. and 26 Oliphant Lane into affordable housing.
According to paperwork on file, there would be 72 total units developed at the former Peckham School and Oliphant administration building sites. That’s up from 57 units in the town’s last plan to the state.
Before any town affordable housing proposal starts construction, it needs funding, a thorough public review and permitting, which is more than a year away at a minimum.
Public feedback and input will be welcomed at the March 31 meeting. Those looking to speak are asked to fill out a participation form ahead of time — if possible. Forms are available at the Town Clerk’s office or https://mdl.town/Speak online.
“Housing, and in particular ‘affordable housing,’ is critical to the survival of Middletown,” said Lawrence Frank, the chairperson of the town’s Affordable Housing Committee. “An expanding middle class is required for the long term success of our town. Without affordable housing the middle class will be hollowed out, leading to a decline in families with children.
“The growth in families will define the character of Middletown. The social fabric will be strengthened, classrooms in the new school will be full, retail and restaurants will have year round customers. It is hard to underestimate the remarkable benefits that affordable housing will bring.”
Town Councilor Dennis Turano agreed that affordable housing was an important issue and one Middletown must address. Turano has worked since 2016 to boost affordable housing in the community. Along with council President Paul M. Rodrigues, Turano serves as one of the two council liaisons to the town’s Affordable Housing Committee.
“These two properties are the perfect example of town affordable housing programs that make the most sense from a logistical and financial standpoint for the residents of Middletown,” Turano said. “Affordable housing is a nationwide issue and we need to do our part.”
Like most areas of the country, the cost of living has pushed its way to the forefront here.
Hearing those concerns, the council has made housing and helping Middletown become more affordable its No. 1 priority.
To accomplish that goal, the council is leading a multi-prong effort to attack the issue on various fronts, with the Affordable Housing Committee playing a critical role.
Since 2022, thousands across Middletown have taken advantage of the council’s Tiered Residential Tax Program (TRTP), which saved eligible residents 30 percent on their tax bills this year. The deadline to submit the latest round of that paperwork was March 15.
Recently, the council adopted new ordinances to make it easier to create Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and multi-family developments, an initiative pushed by the General Assembly.
The council also has okayed language giving tax breaks to residential landlords who rent their properties longterm. The aim is to provide additional incentives for property owners to rent on a year round basis instead of day-to-day like in the short-term rental market.
Before this incentive goes live, language clearing the way for the move must be adopted by the General Assembly in Providence. Applications are being accepted at the town’s tax office now through May 1. Visit https://mdl.town/Tax-Help or drop by the Assessor’s office on the first floor of Town Hall during normal business hours for more.
The town has been working to create affordable housing of its own at the Green End Avenue, Oliphant Lane and 361-393 East Main Road across from Town Hall. Those projects haven’t gotten off the ground yet because the town hasn’t been able to secure the necessary funding from the state.
During a recent round of applications, town and affordable housing officials learned the Green End Avenue and Oliphant Lane projects didn’t have enough “density” to make them rise to the top of the list for state support. This was especially true when compared to other projects across the Ocean State vying for the same pool of money.
With that in mind, Pennrose went back to the drawing board and revised its plans for both locations. According to the 31-page document before the council Monday, the latest version should better meet the requirements for state funding.
For one, Pennrose noted there are 23 percent more units in the proposal, which should help satisfy the “density” requirements. Other additions include:
- Having three bedroom units available for rent. The last application did not include three bedroom apartments.
- Adding amenity spaces like community rooms, storage spaces, lobbies and fitness areas, which were absent from the prior proposal.
- Promoting sustainability with the latest designs including the use of solar and all electric, something not present in the 2024 Rhode Island Housing application.
- Offering service provider and commercial spaces, which wasn’t in the 2024 submission
According to a Pennrose timeline, the goal was to secure approval for the latest designs from the Town Council and move the proposal to the next phase. Ideally, the plans would be filed with the state around the end of the year, with anticipated funding announcements in May 2026.
To check out the newest designs from Pennrose, go to https://mdl.town/AH-Pennrose online.
Town officials have said close to 600 apartments, condos and houses have been approved or are on the boards in town — or close to 10 percent of the existing housing stock in the community.
Notably, this includes the Middletown Center project at 600-740 West Main Road and the Rosebrook Commons development currently under construction at 1747 West Main Road.
A recent Housing Works RI report showed there are 7,217 housing units in Middletown. Of those, 56 percent are owner occupied, with the remainder rented out.
The data showed of the owner occupied units, 33 percent were considered “burdened,” meaning they pay more than 30 percent of their gross pay towards housing. Those figures increased to 41 percent for those who rented.
Currently, the town has 360 affordable housing units, as defined by state law. That puts the total percentage of affordable units at close to 5 percent. The goal under state law is to have at least 10 percent of all housing considered affordable.
Frank, the Affordable Housing Committee chair, said there was a lot to like about the latest Pennrose plan and urged the council to provide its support.
“Town Council members will decide whether this proposal goes forward,” Frank said. “They should answer the simple question: Will the town be a better place to live when the Pennrose housing is completed? The answer is self-evident.”
Document Link: https://mdl.town/NYCU-AH-Advance
About Middletown
The Town of Middletown is a vibrant municipality located on Aquidneck Island, known for its scenic beauty, historic landmarks, diverse economy and strong sense of community. For more information about all we have to offer, visit MiddletownRI.gov online.
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