In 2002, there were an estimated 443,761 housing units, 408,272 of which were occupied; 61.4% were owner-occupied. About 55% of all units were single-family, detached homes; 37.4% of all units were built in 1939 or earlier. In 2002, utility gas and fuel oil were the most common energy sources for heating. It was estimated that 8,859 units lacked telephone service, 1,225 lacked complete plumbing facilities, and 1,465 lacked complete kitchen facilities. The average household size was 2.52 people.
In 2002, 2,848 new privately owned housing units were authorized for construction. Much of the new residential construction has taken place in the suburbs south and west of Providence. The median home value was $165,458. The median monthly cost for mortgage owners was $1,305. Renters paid a median of $622. During 2002, Rhode Island received over $18.8 million in community planning and development aid from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.