A recently released report, authored by Brookings Institution scholar Julia Isaacs, looks at the impact of the mortgage foreclosure crisis on America's children. It finds that one-in-ten children has been or is at risk to be affected by foreclosures, that the rate approaches one-in-five in some states, and that the upheaval resulting from foreclosure can have harmful and lasting consequences on a child's development.

According to this report, 8 to 10 percent of children in Rhode Island are affected by foreclosures of owner-occupied homes.

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The Hardest Hit Fund Rhode Island (HHFRI) will host a community information meeting on:

Monday, May 7th
6-7:30 p.m.
Newport Public Library
300 Spring Street
Newport

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On Friday, May 11 beginning at 8 a.m., Grow Smart RI will host their 4th biennial Power of Place Summit - Beyond Austerity: Leveraging the Power of Place for a Stronger State Economy.

The Summit brings together nearly 500 business and civic leaders, state and local officials, developers, architects, community activists, real estate professionals, planners and more.

Attendees will hear about compelling trends driving the demand for smart growth; learn how developers, builders and municipalities are responding; participate in workshops; and celebrate the first-ever Smart Growth Award recipients.

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New information shows that efficiencies in the state's Building Homes Rhode Island program are helping build another 57 long-term affordable rental and ownership homes.

We last reported that the state's Building Homes Rhode Island (BHRI) program had helped to fund the development of 1,255 long-term affordable rental and ownership homes across Rhode Island by the end of its four-year cycle in July of 2011. Thanks to a reallocation of funds realized through cost-efficiencies, BHRI has now supported the development of 1,312 long-term affordable rental and ownership homes.

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(The following is a press release from the Office of Senator Jack Reed)
MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2012

Reed Introduces Project Rebuild Act to Help Turnaround Vacant Homes and Businesses
New initiative could provide $33 million for RI to create jobs overhauling distressed neighborhoods and commercial properties

PROVIDENCE, RI - In an effort to create jobs, stabilize neighborhoods, and rehab vacant and foreclosed homes and businesses, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today joined officials from Rhode Island’s Office of Housing and Community Development; Rhode Island Housing; HousingWorks RI; and SWAP Inc. (Stop Wasting Abandoned Property) to lay out a another effort new plan to create jobs, stabilize neighborhoods, and rehab vacant and foreclosed homes and businesses.

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An article posted on EastBayRI.com details a roundtable discussion convened by the Newport County Chamber of Commerce and HousingWorks RI to discuss long-term affordable housing needs and housing's impact on the local economy.

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The Newport County Chamber of Commerce and HousingWorks RI are hosting a roundtable discussion about long-term affordable housing in Newport County.

Join elected officials along with area community and business leaders, to discuss the benefits of long-term affordable housing and how programs like Building Homes Rhode Island are helping the Newport area. A continental breakfast will be served.

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The availability of $3.1 million for lead paint hazard control and lead awareness programs in Rhode Island was announced at a news conference Monday morning at Rhode Island Housing. Attending alongside the many supporters present were U.S. Senator Jack Reed, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representative David Cicilline.

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At a Capitol Hill luncheon ceremony on June 2 in Washington, D.C., Newport Heights, the former Tonomy Hill public housing development that is now home to more than 340 Newport families, was named a winner of a 16th Annual Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Award. Every year, recognition is granted to the most outstanding Low Income Housing Tax Credit properties, representing the best examples of rental home development nationwide.

This year, of the more than 40 entries submitted from 22 states, Newport Heights Phase IV was chosen as the winner in the Public Housing Revitalization category.

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