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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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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On Saturday, June 11th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., join non-profit developers across Rhode Island as they host open house events for their affordable housing currently available for sale.

Open houses will be held at the following locations:

BARRINGTON:
• Walker Farm Lane, 562 County Rd., new houses priced from $146,200 to $210,000. A model home will be open. The developer is West Elmwood Housing Development Corp.; contact Jasmine Peters, 453-3220, ext. 20.

BRISTOL:

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The Hardest Hit Fund Rhode Island (HHFRI) will host a free informational meeting on:

Saturday, June 4 at 10:30a.m.
Christ Episcopal Church
7 Elm St., Westerly

The presentation will be in English. To RSVP, contact Melissa Caba at 401- 277-1587 or via email at mcaba@rhodeislandhousing.org.

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An article by Dale P. Faulkner in today's Westerly Sun reports on the most recent meeting of a working group concerned with revitalizing Westerly's downtown, KeepSpace Westerly.

Click here to learn more about the KeepSpace initiative.

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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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On Monday, February 7, 2011 at 7:00pm, South County Habitat for Humanity will host an informational meeting to learn about and apply for an existing 2-bedroom unit in a duplex in Westerly.

Information will be provided about the Habitat program and about becoming a Habitat homeowner. Application forms will be on hand, and a list of items needed to complete the application will be provided.

The meeting will take place at the South County Habitat office, 1555 Shannock Road in Charlestown, RI. For further information, you may call South County Habitat for Humanity at (401) 213-6711 or email schabitat@southcountyhabitat.org.

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By LESLIE ROVETTI / Sun Staff Writer

WESTERLY - A state board has overturned a decision banning the WARM Center from building eight affordable housing apartments at its Spruce Street location.

The State Housing Appeals Board on Tuesday unanimously overturned the November 2009 decision of the Westerly Planning Board that prevented the nonprofit organization from building the apartments for low-income residents with physical or mental disabilities.

"I think the winners in this are the eight to 10 disabled people that will have safe, affordable housing," said Rev. Jean Barry, the center's executive director.

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