We are at a turning point in the town of Little Compton. As it becomes increasingly difficult for people to afford to live here, we are facing a crucial moment. What we do, or fail to do, will determine our future.

We can look at the stats — that the median cost of a home in 2022 in Little Compton was $875,000. Or that, in the past 20 years, the percentage of homes owned only for seasonal use has more than doubled, rising from 16 to 35 percent, while the number of school-aged children has halved, falling from 24 percent of our population to 12. Or that we have the highest percentage of seniors of any town in our state, yet have no dedicated senior housing that is affordable.

The truth is, most of you don’t need stats to know this story. You know that young people starting out can’t afford to buy or rent here because some of them are your kids or your grandkids. You know that young families can’t afford to live here, not only because you see in the paper that our school enrollment has dropped by 32 percent since 2012, but because when trick-or-treating comes around, you shake your heads and ask, 'Where are all the kids?'

You know that seniors on a fixed income are getting edged out because some of you are those seniors who can’t afford the repairs to your home or the rising cost of rent. You see the agricultural character of our town being lost as fewer people who work in farming and fishing can afford to live here. You see our local shops and restaurants struggling to stay open as their income in the “off-season” is plummeting due to a shrinking year-round population and the lack of housing for their employees.

The trends are clear. If we do nothing, we know what will happen. Our town will continue becoming a place that only exists for a seasonal population of very wealthy people. Change is never easy. It requires us to risk trying something new. That is the nature of turning points:  They demand a choice between doing nothing — and accepting the outcomes that come with doing nothing — or stepping into the unknown in hopes of something better. 

I believe we have let our communal fears keep us from creative problem-solving. The time has come to act. As I listen to people and hear their deep love for this town, as I see the efforts of groups in town trying to bring this issue to the forefront, trying to move us from discussion to meaningful action, I am filled with hope. My hope is that this is the moment, this is the turning point, when we as a town will finally come together and find creative ways to make Little Compton a place where people from all walks of life can afford to live together.

The Reverend Rebecca M. Floyd Marshall

Little Compton