News Digest: Housing touches every aspect of our lives, from business and education to health and our local economy.
HousingWorks RI at RWU, Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless, Housing Network of Rhode Island, and the Public Housing Association of RI, joined together to communicate the latest news on housing and homelessness in Rhode Island.
Affordable Housing
Force Multipliers
April 6, 2018
Our homes are the solid ground upon which we build our lives – safe, secure, healthy spaces where we can eat, sleep, and spend time with our families; bases from which we travel to work or school; conducive, reliable environments in which we can thrive and grow.
Yet for many Rhode Islanders, this basic resource remains persistently out of reach. It’s a crisis that students at Roger Williams University School of Law are addressing head-on through the Rhode Island Tenant Stabilization Project, aimed at helping low-income tenants who face eviction and possible homelessness.
Tiny-house model explored as
affordable path in R.I.
March 29, 2018
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Could some of Providence’s abandoned lots be redeveloped with energy-efficient, 500- to 700-square-foot houses that could be sold for $88,000, an affordable price for small households earning between $25,000 and $45,000 a year?
This was just one of the ideas discussed Thursday at Grow Smart Rhode Island’s Power of Place Summit, held at the Rhode Island Convention Center. The biennial Summit aims to promote “community development policies that help to shape stronger, more vibrant and resilient places.”
R.I. bills would allow Medicaid funds to be used for housing
March 28, 2018
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Two bills that could lead to the use of Medicaid funds to house chronically homeless Rhode Islanders unanimously passed the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services on Tuesday.
The committee passed S. 2083, which would allow the state to apply for Medicaid waivers to “ensure for housing, healthcare, and mental and behavioral health care services for the homeless ” and S. 2129, which directs “the executive office of health and human services (EOHHS)” to “utilize any current Medicaid waiver funds to provide coverage for supportive housing for the chronically homeless population in the state.
Housing Network of Rhode Island announces 2018 awardees, annual meeting
March 20, 2018
PROVIDENCE – The Housing Network of Rhode Island will mark a year of progress in affordable housing at its annual meeting on May 21, where it will honor its 2018 awardees.
The awards celebrate the contributions that partners have made to the Housing Network, a state association that comprises 14 Rhode Island nonprofit community development corporations that address the state’s housing needs.
RICH is excited to announce that they have an open position: RICH is currently hiring for a Statewide Coordinated Entry Accountability Analyst! This position will work with our Coordinated Entry System Manager and is a 30-hour a week position. You can find more information about the position by clicking here.
To apply, please click here! Please do not email resumes, but do reach out if you have issues with the link or have questions about the positions.
Sincerely,
Caitlin Frumerie, LCSW
Executive Director
Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless 1070 Main Street, Ste 304,Pawtucket, RI 02860
Office: (401) 721-5685 x17
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R.I. housing authorities get fed money to help homeless vets
April 6, 2018
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — In an effort to end veteran homelessness, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on Friday announced funding of $152,774 for six local public housing agencies in Rhode Island to provide a permanent home to 24 veterans experiencing homelessness.
The supportive housing assistance is provided through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program which combines rental assistance from HUD with case management and clinical services provided by VA.
A component of the Housing Choice Voucher program, the HUD-VASH vouchers will enable homeless veterans to obtain housing in the private market. Veterans participating in the HUD-VASH program generally contribute no more than 30 percent of their income toward rent.
To view the full article, featured in the Providence Journal, click here.
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Local students will deliver backpacks to the homeless
April 4, 2018
Mark Whittaker, a fifth grade teacher at Hampden Meadows School, has rallied students and their families to collect and fill backpacks for the less fortunate.
So far, they have filled 200 backpacks with personal hygiene items, sweatshirts, socks, bottled water, snacks, and other essentials.
On Thursday night at 6 p.m., a volunteer orientation and engagement will be held at Hampden Meadows School. More than 50 volunteers – parents and students – have signed up to distribute the backpacks this Sunday morning, April 8, at the Friendship Breakfast at Mathewson Street UMC in Providence.
“It’s been amazing to see the support roll in,” said Mr. Whittaker. “I’m so excited this is actually happening. I think it’s important that these kids get to see the end game in their volunteer and donation efforts. Hopefully, it will bring more awareness to the problem of homelessness, but more importantly I hope that people will just get to learn a little about each other and share some stories over a meal.”
To view the full article, featured in the Barrington Times, click here.
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Providence giving meters have collected $900 for homeless
April 3, 2018
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Providence has collected more than $900 since it installed orange “giving meters” for people who want to donate to homeless causes without giving handouts to panhandlers.
