Josh Saal | Deputy secretary of commerce for housing, R.I. Executive Office of Commerce
1. What’s your outlook on Rhode Island’s housing situation, in terms of the amount of available housing and housing that’s under construction? The demand for housing in Rhode Island is incredibly strong – perhaps the highest we have ever seen – because more and more people want to live here. You see this at every segment of the housing market, whether you are a senior on a fixed income looking for a rental apartment or a growing family looking to upgrade to a larger home. In effect, the available housing currently on the market and under construction is far too limited.
2. How important is improving Rhode Island’s housing situation to the state’s economy? We want to continue attracting new companies and stimulate the economy by empowering local entrepreneurs to grow their businesses in Rhode Island. Housing is key to this strategy. A lack of housing options makes it harder to draw and retain a talented workforce.
3. What’s your background and experience in housing and how will that help you? My experience [in the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development] taught me the importance of housing investments that are guided by meaningful engagement with local communities, regardless of their demographic or political orientation. To meet the housing needs at the state level, we must listen and try to address the challenges facing local communities. Targeted investments are especially important for areas that have historically experienced disinvestment.
4. What’s it like returning to Rhode Island, where you attended Brown University and worked here previously? Downtown Providence and many of the nearby neighborhoods have a sense of energy today that is very different from 15-20 years ago. I have been visiting family and friends in Rhode Island regularly and it never ceases to amaze me how Rhode Island has a very strong sense of identity, even as the ... communities evolve.
5. What do you think about the administration’s strategy for strengthening the housing market and adding more affordable housing in the state? This administration has made housing a priority and set a higher bar for what we can accomplish together. After decades of underinvesting compared to our neighbors, we are making record investments in our state’s housing and proposing over 250 million new dollars for a range of initiatives.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the agency for which Josh Saal works. Saal is deputy secretary of commerce for housing at the R.I. Executive Office of Commerce.
Marc Larocque is a PBN staff writer. Contact him at Larocque@PBN.com.
