East Providence Launches Live-Work Tax Break to Spur Affordable Housing

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

East Providence has launched a new 'live/work' tax exemption that lets qualifying owner-occupied business properties be taxed partly at the lower residential rate, easing costs for income-restricted residents who run businesses from home. The policy currently applies only to Ivy Place near City Hall, but city leaders and housing advocates hope it will spur more affordable mixed-use developments and expand options for low- and moderate-income households.

Why it matters

In a city with high housing costs, this new tax break could help make it more affordable for residents to live and work in the same property, supporting small businesses and providing more options for low- and moderate-income families. The policy aligns with broader efforts to promote affordable housing and mixed-use development in East Providence.

The details

The live/work tax exemption allows qualifying owner-occupied business properties to be taxed partly at the lower residential rate, rather than the higher commercial rate. This is intended to ease the financial burden for income-restricted residents who run small businesses out of their homes. While the policy is currently limited to the Ivy Place area near City Hall, city leaders and housing advocates hope it will spur the creation of more affordable mixed-use developments in East Providence.

• East Providence launched the new live/work tax exemption in early 2026.

What’s next

City leaders and housing advocates will monitor the impact of the live/work tax exemption on Ivy Place and consider expanding the policy to other areas of East Providence to further promote affordable mixed-use development.