Why can’t Rhode Islanders afford to live where they work? Why are evictions rising? And what legal protections — if any — exist for people at risk of losing their homes?

In this powerful episode of Law 401: Legal Issues Decoded, co-hosts Nicole Dyszlewski and Michael Donnelly-Boylen tackle the state’s growing housing crisis. They’re joined by Brenda Clement, Executive Director of HousingWorks RI, and Susie Harrington-Steppen, Associate Director of Pro Bono Programs at RWU Law, to unpack the legal, economic, and human realities of unaffordable housing and increasing evictions across Rhode Island.

In this episode, we cover:

• What “affordable housing” actually means (and why it’s out of reach for many)

• How local zoning laws and outdated housing stock are holding Rhode Island back

• Why eviction filings are back to pre-pandemic levels — and who’s being hit hardest

• What legal resources exist for tenants and where the system falls short

• The link between substandard housing, health, and education outcomes

• What the future of housing in RI could look like with new legislation and advocacy

Whether you’re a renter, homeowner, policymaker, or concerned citizen, this episode reveals how deeply housing affects everyone — and why we all need to be part of the solution.

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