OUR STORIES
Short term rental owners and hosts are your neighbors, friends, and colleagues. People host their homes for all kinds of reasons, whether it's to supplement their income, pay for renovations, or even just to keep a generational home in the family. Hosting their homes as short term rentals allows them to afford their homes and keep them in the family for generations to come. Through their stories, we can gain insights into the unique experiences of short term rental owners and hosts and the impact they have on their communities.
Danelle - Warwick
Danelle is a nurse who hosts her two family home in Warwick. Her short term rental welcomes traveling health care professionals that are coming to RI to unburden our strained healthcare system after Covid-19. These traveling nurses and doctors are in need of homes to rent short term, with the flexibility to extend their stay if their travel assignment requires. Danelle's home helps bring healthcare workers to Rhode Island, which supports the overall health and welfare of our communities.
Edward - Newport
Edward moved to Newport in 2017 to take a leadership position at a local nonprofit. Working for the benefit of others shouldn't require taking a vow of poverty for oneself. Edward couldn't afford a single family home on the island on his nonprofit salary, so he bought a neglected duplex in Middletown. He lived in the top while fixing up the bottom and renting it as a short term rental.
There has been a market for summer rentals in Newport for over 100 years. Edward experienced first hand how technology platforms have democratized access to wealth for working people. Today anyone can do it, and this is a big win for progressives and populists alike.
Jerry - Warwick
In 2017 Jerry was contacted by his cousin who was about to lose her home because she was no longer able to afford it. He helped her rent part of it on a short term basis as a solution to keeping up with the expenses. After the first year she was able to make enough extra income to stay in her home and get out of financial distress. Jerry is on disability and is unable to physically work. To fill the gap in income that disability doesn't meet, he has started renting out his own cottage in Oakland Beach. Having a short term rental has allowed him the opportunity to stay independent and support his family.
Tatiana - Bristol
Tatiana lives in Bristol. She rents out a bedroom in her house to supplement her retirement income. She loves to host guests in her home and has met a number of wonderful people since she started short term renting on Labor Day in 2022. Renting to guests allows Tatiana a sustainable way to afford living in Rhode Island.
Robert & Jackie - Warwick
Robert and Jackie began renting their primary home in 2018 as a way to help with expenses. The pandemic in 2020 caused an unfortunate job loss and pay cut for them.When restrictions were lifted and people started traveling again, they would stay elsewhere and rent out their home to guests to be able to stay afloat. Having a short term rental allows them to earn extra income to stay in the home that they love.
Jason & Sarah - Newport
Sarah’s family is from Rhode Island and after introducing Jason to the area, he fell in love with Newport. They split time between Florida and Newport and short-term rent their Newport home to other families while they aren’t there. This supports the Newport economy, instead of keeping their home dark and unoccupied in their absence. They also host family and friends often and are active in their community.