As income inequality grows, a state senator renews the call to strengthen Rhode Island’s safety net - The Boston Globe

Income Inequality and Its Impact on Rhode Island

The growing concentration of wealth among the richest contrasts sharply with ordinary Rhode Islanders facing a shortage of affordable housing, healthcare, and food. As the government shutdown continues, 145,000 residents depending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) remain without the funds to purchase food.

Food Insecurity in Rhode Island

Despite court orders requiring the Trump administration to pay at least partial benefits for November, hunger has increased. Nearly 40% of Rhode Island's population experiences food insecurity.

Housing Affordability Challenges

Recent data from HousingWorks RI reveal that the median income for renters in Rhode Island is $48,434. However, no community has housing affordable for households earning under $60,000 annually. In most areas, those households need incomes above $75,000 or even $100,000 to afford a two-bedroom apartment.

Furthermore, buying a median-priced home is not affordable for any household earning less than $100,000.

Health Care Costs and Federal Shutdown

The federal shutdown largely results from congressional Republicans’ refusal to renew health care marketplace subsidies. Without these subsidies, premiums for many Rhode Islanders would increase by approximately 85%, with some experiencing even higher spikes.

Even with subsidies, many still struggle to cover health care costs. Medical debt remains a leading cause of bankruptcy nationwide.

We must not accept the increasing concentration of wealth at the top while ordinary people lack affordable housing, health care and even food.

Author’s summary: Rising wealth inequality in Rhode Island exacerbates hunger, housing unaffordability, and health care crises, underscoring urgent need to strengthen the state’s social safety net.

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The Boston Globe The Boston Globe — 2025-11-10

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