Default Title Here

Enews Archives

January 18, 2006

HousingWorks RI backs new state strategic housing plan

The Housing Resources Commission voted last Friday to approve a new state strategic housing plan that would create 5,000 affordable homes in five years.

The Rhode Island Five Year Strategic Housing Plan: 2006-2010 calls for a $75 million bond issue to jumpstart the production of affordable housing. The plan also emphasizes that Rhode Island must provide an annual budget line item appropriation of at least $7.5 million for the Neighborhood Opportunities Program (NOP). NOP was funded at $7.5 million through bonding last year.

“It’s clear Rhode Island has a long way to go in solving the housing shortage that is driving rents and real estate prices sky high, but this plan is an important step forward in achieving that goal,” said Ari Matusiak, acting director of HousingWorks RI.

The draft housing plan now goes to the State Planning Council for review.

As Rhode Island families struggle with high housing costs, childhood poverty on the rise
One in five Rhode Island children are living in poverty, according to a new Issue Brief by HousingWorks RI member Rhode Island KIDS COUNT. The percentage of poor children increased from 16% in 2000 to 21% in 2004. Rhode Island has the highest childhood poverty rate of the six New England states. Among cities with populations of at least 100,000, Providence ranks as the third poorest in the nation.

These statistics are especially alarming when viewed in light of Rhode Island’s skyrocketing housing costs and shortage of affordable homes. Consider this: A family of four with an income of $19,157 – the federal poverty threshold – can afford just $479/month for a mortgage or rent and utilities. The average two-bedroom apartment in Rhode Island rents for more than twice that amount, according to Rhode Island Housing’s most recent rent survey (to view, click here). A family of four making double the poverty limit can afford the average two-bedroom apartment in just one community in Rhode Island (Central Falls).

“The shortage of affordable housing and rising utility costs are straining the budgets of many Rhode Island families,” said Rhode Island KIDS COUNT executive director Elizabeth Burke Bryant. “Too many Rhode Island children are living in unsafe, overcrowded housing. We need to increase the supply of affordable housing if we want our children to be healthy and ready for school.”

To read the Rhode Island KIDS COUNT Issue Brief, click here.

State accepting applications for affordable housing
The Housing Resources Commission is seeking applications for Round XIV of the Neighborhood Opportunities Programs (NOP).

NOP funds the production of affordable rental units, permanent supportive housing and homeownership opportunities. Last year, the General Assembly increased funding for the program to $7.5 million. NOP was a major piece of the HousingWorks RI 2005 policy platform (to view, click here).

Applications for this round of NOP funding are due February 14, 2006. For more information, contact Ray Neirinckx via email at: rneirinckx@gw.doa.state.ri.us or phone at: (401) 222-4893.

HousingWorks RI Fact Book highlighted in Pawtucket Times
The Pawtucket Times recently used the HousingWorks RI Fact Book to illustrate how housing costs are affecting communities in the Blackstone Valley.

The article acknowledged the efforts of the Blackstone Valley Community Action Program (BVCAP), a HousingWorks RI member, to provide affordable homes for the region’s residents. According to BVCAP executive director Vincent Ceglie, Rhode Island must “change the way we think about, debate and approach solutions to the housing problem.”

To read the Pawtucket Times article, click here.*

*All articles have been saved as Adobe PDF documents. To download the latest version of Adobe Reader, click here.