FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2019
Media Contact: Kyrie Perry
kyperry@rihousing.com
401-457-1276
Rhode Island Agencies Announce Opportunities for Public to Weigh in on Housing Plan
Rhode Island Residents Invited to Provide Feedback on Housing Issues
Providence, RI – RIHousing and the Rhode Island Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) recently announced opportunities for the public to comment on state housing plans. The collaboration between the two agencies will help guide the state’s policy approach to housing, including the distribution of federal funds and state housing investments. In 2019, Rhode Island received almost $16 million in federal funding to support housing and community development initiatives in the state.
As part of the collaboration, the agencies intend to update and complete three plans by May 2020 that will inform housing and community development priorities moving forward.
The three plans include:
- Strategic Housing Plan will identify current and future housing needs across Rhode Island for a variety of households and income levels.
- Five-Year Consolidated Plan will describe Rhode Island’s community development priorities and goals based on an assessment of affordable housing and community development needs, market conditions, and available resources.
- Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice will identify barriers to housing choice for members of protected classes, along with a Fair Housing Action Plan that, if implemented, would work to alleviate the identified barriers and foster integrated communities.
“It’s critical to hear from as many residents as possible to ensure their concerns and suggestions are heard,” said Carol Ventura, Interim Executive Director of RIHousing. “The ultimate goal of this collaboration is to identify housing opportunities that Rhode Islanders need to live healthy, productive lives and to identify ways to expand housing opportunities for all Rhode Islanders.”
The agencies want to hear from Rhode Island residents about their personal experiences with housing, including feedback on housing quality, affordability, and needs. Homeowners and renters are invited to attend the public meetings. RIHousing and OHCD will use public input to develop statewide policies.
The project team, which includes consultants Mullin & Lonergan Associates, Cloudburst Consulting, and Highland Planning, has launched a public outreach campaign that includes public meetings, stakeholder workshops, “pop-up” events, and online surveys.
Public meetings are open house-style, and all are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Monday September 23, 2019 from 5:00-7:00 PM
North Kingstown Free Library
100 Boone Street, North Kingstown, RI
Tuesday, September 24, 2019 from 6:00-8:00 PM
Thundermist Health Center Community Room
450 Clinton Street, Woonsocket, RI
Wednesday, September 25, 2019 from 4:00-6:00 PM
Woodlawn Community Center
210 West Avenue, Pawtucket, RI
RIHousing and OHCD staff will also be at the following pop-up events to solicit feedback and answer questions:
Monday, September 23, 2019 from 12:00-2:00 PM
Knight Memorial Library
275 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI
Tuesday, September 24, 2019 from 3:00-5:00PM
Thundermist Farmers Market
450 Clinton Street, Woonsocket, RI
Residents can share their experiences via an online survey, which takes less than 10 minutes to complete.
The survey is available at the following URL until close of business on Thursday, October 31: www.rihousing.com/statewide-housing-plan.
RI Housing and OHCD will convene three additional public meetings in late 2019 or early 2020 to give the public an opportunity to review the initial feedback gathered and provide input on the draft plans.
Contact
To learn more about this effort, visit www.rihousing.com/statewide-housing-plan or contact:
Alison Neirinckx
RIHousing, Special Research & Evaluation Assistant
401.457.1149
Laura Sullivan
State of Rhode Island, Office of Housing and Community Development, Assistant Chief
401.222.6844
About RIHousing
RIHousing works to ensure that all people who live in Rhode Island can afford a healthy, attractive home that meets their needs. RIHousing provides loans, grants, education and assistance to help Rhode Islanders find, rent, buy, build and keep a good home. Created by the General Assembly in 1973, RIHousing is a self-sustaining corporation and receives no state funding for operations. For more information regarding RIHousing, visit www.RIHousing.com or follow us @RIHousing on Facebook and Twitter.
About the Rhode Island Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD)
The mission of the OHCD is to provide opportunities for healthy and affordable housing through production, lead hazard mitigation, and the coordination of the homeless system and implementation of the State’s plan to end homelessness. OHCD provides financial and operational support for all housing programs administered by the Housing Resources Commission (HRC), including a rental assistance program, which will provide housing to homeless individuals and families by non-profit homeless service providers. OHCD’s Community Development branch administers the federal Community Development Block (CDBG) program, and related programs.
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