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Want affordable housing?
Good luck!
Unfortunately, that is not offered at the University of Rhode Island...Despite this very helpful Commuter Affairs page which does no more than mention affordable housing.
Look for yourselves, and if you find anything: let us know!
It is important that all students, including transgender students, have access to safe and affordable housing. Most URI students take this for granted, but trans students simply do not have that luxury.
Unlike many colleges and universities, a large proportion of students commute to URI which can bring added expenses and challenges. A disproportionate amount of trans students lack basic transportation needs which makes it difficult to get to and from campus.
Whether your on or off campus, landlords and roommates can often be discriminatory towards different gender identities which can put trans individuals in uncomfortable situations or even danger. While there are organizations that help trans individuals find housing, URI does not offer any aid to trans students in need of affordable housing.
No matter what gender you choose to identify with, it is important to be prepared and know what to expect when it comes to finding affordable and safe housing at URI.
Start Looking Early for Housing
If you are considering living off campus, start looking as soon as possible. Off campus housing is extremely competitive and can be very expensive. Many students look up to a year in advance for off campus housing.
Roommates
Roommates can make or break your living experience. Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram are great places to meet new people and find potential roommates. Narragansett has a town ordinance that limits single family houses to a maximum of 3 students. Some landlords are able to circumvent this rule, but it is not guarantied for most students. If you are planning to live on campus, plan who your roommates are going to be as soon as possible, but be prepared to split up into smaller groups if you have a large group of friends.
Transportation
If you are planning to live off campus, make sure to have access to transportation. If you do not have a car, living off campus is not recommended. Most houses off campus are not within walking distance to campus. If you do not have a car, the RIPTA buses and carpooling can be an option but are not reliable.
Utilities
Make sure you are aware if utilities are included with your rent or not. Heat, water, electricity, and internet can add upwards of $100 to your housing costs every month.
Set Yourself Up for Success
On campus room selection is determined by your year of graduation, the number of course credits you have taken, and GPA. Rising should try to maintain good grades to have the earliest time possible to select housing. If possible, rising juniors, seniors, and grad students should highly consider off campus housing because on campus housing is not guaranteed for upperclassmen. You can be placed on a waitlist for on campus housing, but it is often very long and does not guarantee you housing.
In June of 2023, the town of Narragansett voted in favor to continue their ordnance of limiting 3 students per house. The Narragansett 2100 is an organization for realtors fighting back against the town ordinance. Click on the links below to learn more.
