WSJ Housing Investigation Grounded Tool

Providence Housing Gap & Zoning Density Simulator

"Suffocated by decades of underbuilding, Providence, R.I., has become a prime example of how housing problems stretch far beyond bigger cities like New York and San Francisco." — The Wall Street Journal

Zoning & Regulatory Levers

SCENARIO PRESETS
Legalize ADUs (Accessory Dwellings)
Missing-Middle Infill (Duplex/Triplex/Courtyards)
Fast-Track Permitting (<60 Day Approvals)
Inclusionary Zoning Mandate 10%
High mandates without subsidies reduce total developer starts.
Transit-Oriented Corridor Bonus Moderate
Allows 4-8 stories along RIPTA Kennedy Plaza bus corridors.
Annual Providence Household Growth 1,200

10-Year Supply & Rent Impact Projection

Units Added / Year 1,350 +900 vs Status Quo (450)
10-Yr Housing Deficit 4,200 -71% from 14,500 baseline
Median Rent Shift -4.2% Inflation-adjusted market rent
Deficit narrowing significantly through missing-middle infill

Providence Neighborhood Deficit & Yield Breakdown

Neighborhood Historic Deficit Permitted Potential Primary Bottleneck