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, April 30th
6-7:30 p.m.
Woonsocket City Hall
169 Main Street
Woonsocket

Representatives Lisa Baldelli-Hunt, Jon D. Brien, and Robert D. Phillips are urging homeowners to attend as the latest changes to HHFRI have made it easier for Rhode Island homeowners having difficulty making mortgage payments to get assistance.

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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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The Eggs & Issues Breakfast originally scheduled for this Friday, December 16th with the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce and HousingWorks RI is to be rescheduled. Please stay tuned for future information.

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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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On Thursday, May 5 from 5:30-7:00 p.m., the Rhode Island Foundation and WRNI, Rhode Island's NPR station, will host a community forum focusing on: One Square Mile: Woonsocket.

WRNI's One Square Mile series offers an intensive look at a small area in our state from a diversity of angles: politics, education, health care, the economy, its residents and its culture.

Moderated by WRNI Political Analyst Scott MacKay, this live taping will take place at The Museum of Work and Culture at Market Square, 42 South Main Street in Woonsocket.

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The Hardest Hit Fund Rhode Island will host informational sessions on:

Tuesday, April 26 at 6 p.m.
Woodlawn Community Center
210 West Avenue, Pawtucket, RI

Saturday, April 30 at 11 a.m.
NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley
719 Front St., Suite 103,
Woonsocket, RI

These meetings will include presentations in English. A Spanish translator will be available. For more information on the Hardest Hit Fund Rhode Island, visit www.HHFRI.org, email info@HHFRI.org or call 401-277-1500.

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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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