Westerly - State of Rhode Island: Division of Planning

2.1 Overview2.0 HousingThe availability and affordability of housing is a major factor in the livability and prosperity of acommunity. The diversity of the housing stock in terms of the mix of unit types as well asownership and rental opportunities are important factors that can help to identify problems andopportunities in the local housing market. These serve as a basis for recommendations to guidehousing in the community over the planning horizon.As one of the required elements of the Comprehensive Plan under RSA 45-44, the HousingElement must identify and analyze existing and forecasted housing needs and objectives. Amongother required aspects of the Housing Element are policies to address housing affordability and aplan to implement the policies and goals of housing affordability.The Housing Element of the Comprehensive Plan must be consistent with State Guide PlanElement 421: State Housing Plan. Briefly, the goals of State Guide Element 421 address thefollowing policy areas for housing:• Quantity• Quality• Variety• Accessibility• AffordabilityThe Housing Element of the Town of Westerly Comprehensive Plan, guided by the State GuidePlan Element 421, provides a framework for developing the policies and implementation strategiesto meet the requirements of the state and to preserve and enhance the quality of life for present andfuture residents of Westerly. This element provides an analysis of housing trends. Along with theother elements of the Comprehensive Plan, it will help to inform and define strategies to:• Promote diversity of housing types and affordability• Protect historic and other essential characteristics of neighborhoods, prevent displacementand promote sound water protection and watershed management• Support the best use and maintenance of the housing stock• Identify locations for new housing units• Promote housing affordability, and encourage better planning, neighborhood developmentand growth management.These goals are also consistent with Goal 2 of Land Use 2025: Rhode Island State Land Use Policies andPlan: Achieve Excellence in Community Design, which includes among its objectives to promote diverseaffordable housing.Westerly, Rhode Island 17