The hotline unhoused people can call to access shelter and housing in Rhode Island received roughly 10,000 calls a month last summer. Just four operators answered the bulk of those calls, and the people calling sometimes waited on hold for nearly three hours, according to a little-noticed report delivered to state agencies last fall. “The […]
Nina Sparling
Nina Sparling is a reporter with The Public's Radio's investigative team. She has written for outlets including The New York Times, The Paris Review, Vogue, Logic Magazine, and the Global Investigative Journalism Network. Her radio work has appeared on Marketplace, KQED, Alaska Public Media, Capital Public Radio, and with the podcast 70 Million.
Posted inHealth, Housing, Local
Rhode Island could lose millions in funding to repair and remove lead paint
On the second floor of a multi-family house in Central Falls in early February, Henry Severino, a construction specialist with Rhode Island Housing, was focused on doors. The damage was obvious: paint chipping off the frames, layers of old paint peeking through after years of wear and tear. “Let’s replace these doors because the kid […]
Posted inEn Español, Housing
¿Está preocupado sobre pintura con plomo en su hogar? Aquí hay algunos lugares dónde buscar ayuda.
La mayoría de las viviendas existentes en Rhode Island se construyeron antes de 1978, lo que significa que es probable que contenga pintura a base de plomo. Eso es peligroso para niños, quienes pueden sufrir consecuencias de por vida si se exponen a pintura con plomo. Nuestra serie Inquilinos en riesgo explora lo que esto […]
Posted inEn Español, Housing
Para prevenir el envenenamiento por plomo, Central Falls aumenta la presión sobre los propietarios
Los propietarios entraron al salón de usos múltiples del edificio de obras públicas de Central Falls en una calurosa noche de septiembre y se acomodaron en sillas de plástico. Los abogados de la ciudad imprimieron expedientes, apilaron archivos de casos color amarillo e instalaron una grabadora, todo aquello en preparación para la reunión mensual del […]
Posted inEn Español, Housing
En RI, se requiere que propietarios de viviendas se cercioren que sus unidades estén seguras respecto a pintura con plomo. Sin embargo ¿quién controla?
Poco antes del primer cumpleaños de su hija, Edson Pereira y su prometida Suany Ortiz se mudaron a un edificio de tres pisos en el centro de Newport. Fue el primer apartamento que la familia tenía para ellos solos. Pereira dice que en ese entonces él trabajaba en la misma calle y que sus suegros […]
Posted inHealth, Housing, Local
To prevent lead poisoning, Central Falls is turning up the heat on landlords
Property owners filtered into the multi-purpose room in the Central Falls public works building on a hot September night, settling into plastic chairs. Attorneys for the city printed off dockets, stacked up manila case files, and set up a tape recorder, all in preparation for the monthly meeting of municipal housing court. Many of the […]
Posted inHealth, Housing, Local
RI landlords are required to ensure their units are safe from lead paint. But who checks?
An investigation by the Public’s Radio found landlords rarely face consequences for failing to comply with state laws meant to protect children from exposure to lead paint.
Posted inHealth, Housing, Local
Concerned about lead paint in your home? Here are some places to look for help.
Most of the housing stock in Rhode Island was built before 1978, which means it likely contains lead-based paint. That’s dangerous for children, who can experience life–long consequences if they’re exposed to lead paint. Our series Renters at Risk explores what this means to Rhode Islanders. Getting rid of lead paint entirely is expensive. Instead, […]
Posted inBusiness, Local
Tenant group sues landlord, alleging retaliation against organizing efforts
A group of tenants has filed a lawsuit in district court against Rhode Island landlord Jeffrey Butler and his Warwick-based real estate company, alleging violations of state law protecting renters from certain forms of retaliation. The suit, brought by attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island and the Center for Justice on behalf of four […]
Posted inArticle, Business, Local, Politics
U.S. Senators discuss crisis of migrant children working dangerous jobs
Lawmakers also introduced multiple new bills intended to better protect migrant teens from labor exploitation.