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They’re sometimes known as “in-law apartments” or “granny flats.” But Rhode Island law gives them a more formal name: accessory dwelling units. On Jan. 1, 2017, a change in state law went into effect, allowing owner-occupants of single-family homes to build these units by right for senior relatives ages 62 or older. Previously they were allowed by right only for disabled family members. Since the law changed, some residents have made inquiries about accessory dwelling units, according to local building and zoning officials. But only a small number have apparently gone ahead with plans to build them.

House sales increased in Rhode Island for the fifth consecutive year in 2017, creating a “hot” market despite falling inventory, according to the Rhode Island Association of Realtors.

The town wants to purchase private property off North Main Road that would provide affordable housing while preserving the watershed of the main reservoir.

Several Rhode Island towns are facing negative impacts after being notified in late July that many of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) applications for local programs and agencies will not receive the funding they typically see. Locally, six social services programs applied for a total of $136,702 to fund several projects in the area, and after the meeting in late July, East Greenwich, along with many other towns across the state, were notified that none of their applications from the Plan Year 2016 will receive funding.