The 2009 Fact Book, the fifth produced by HousingWorks RI, provides a factual update of the current housing market in Rhode Island and shows how having homes that are affordable to Rhode Island's workforce is critical to local economic development. The Fact Book focuses on debunking five myths about affordable homes, which hamper the economic development of the state. These myths are also counteracted by real-life stories from some of our fellow Rhode Islanders. Take a closer look at the data and research on the effects of affordable homes on neighborhoods, and find out why Rhode Island can no longer afford a shortage of long-term affordable homes...Let's build Rhode Island's future based on facts, not myths!  To explore the 2009 Fact Book, use the above applet.

Building Homes Rhode Island          Nearly 550 homes in 22 Rhode Island communities are being built in the first two years of the Building Homes Rhode Island program, which is financed through funds approved in the 2006 affordable housing bond referendum. Voters in all 39 Rhode Island towns and cities passed the referendum to provide workforce housing throughout the state. The first $25 million of bond funds already distributed are helping finance the rehabilitation and new construction of homes—which have made possible the direct investment of more than $214 million in Rhode Island's-homebuilding industry.

Homelessness in Rhode Island–Gains and Challenges Over the past 18 years, there have been significant increases in the number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Rhode Island. Shelter use has climbed dramatically; and the highest numbers coincide with the real estate bubble years. During 2007-2008, the Emergency Food and Shelter Board Report showed some success in reducing the number of individuals experiencing homelessness. This reduction can be attributed to the success of state programs such as the Neighborhood Opportunities Program, Housing First Rhode Island and Rhode Island Housing RoadHome Program. This Issue Brief provides an update on the changing faces and numbers of homelessness in Rhode Island as well as on such successful policies and programs which are helping keep Rhode Islanders in their homes.

News

Thank you for contacting your elected officials - the coordinated efforts of many individuals and organizations worked!  Funding for the Neighborhood Opportunities Program has been restored in the FY2010 state budget in the amount of $2.5million.  Now the next phase begins.  The General Assembly is scheduled to vote on the budget this week, and we are encouraging our members to contact their legislators once again:  this time to ask that they vote in favor of funding the program when the time comes to vote both on Article 1 and on the full FY2010 budget proposal in their respective chambers.  If you are unsure who your Representative and Senator are, click here. 

RI Salaries Not Making the Grade:

National Study Shows State's Key Occupations Pay Too Little to Rent or Buy a Home

See press release (PDF) 

RI Housing Resources Commission celebrates its 10th anniversary 

See HWRI's Key Players in Housing and Economic Development commemorative report (PDF)

See this report on our Issue Briefs Archive

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston provides update on Housing and the Economy
Read more...

Housing programs hit hard in FY2008 and 2009 state budget
Read more...

HousingWorks RI names Nellie M. Gorbea as new executive director

The Housing Bond: One-Year Status Report  HousingWorks RI Issue Brief
Read it now...

Rhode Island's housing bond dollars at work! Join us Nov. 29 at Stillwater Mill in Burrillville
Click for more details...

Neighborhood Opportunities Program  HousingWorks RI Issue Brief
Read it now...

Homelessness in Rhode Island - Gains & Challenges: Our new Issue Brief (April '09) 

See this Issue Brief (PDF)

See it on our Issue Briefs Archive

Meet Mike and Jennifer: Download the HousingWorks RI 2007 Fact Book