ProJo: Future of Providence's Barbara Jordan II affordable housing development discussed

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Residents and advocates on Monday night had the chance to voice their opinions about the redevelopment of Barbara Jordan II, a 74-unit affordable housing project that has been vacant for about two years.

The units, which are spread across 27 buildings in South Providence, fell into deplorable conditions after years of neglect and residents were forced to leave. Rhode Island Housing took over ownership of the properties and will eventually seek out a developer to rebuild and rehabilitate the units.

In the meantime, Camiros, a Chicago-based consulting agency, is leading a public engagement process to hear from community members about their hopes for the project.

“We want to make sure that low-income people have affordable housing,” said Malchus Mills, vice chairman of DARE, a Providence organization that advocates for low-income residents. “We don't want people to be cost-burdened.”

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