In yet another indication that where one lives has a profound influence on individual and collective health, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, the state’s largest insurer, is awarding a total of $200,000 to five housing-related organizations.

The Opportunity Starts at Home multi-sector affordable homes campaign is pleased to announce a new state partner, The Housing Network of Rhode Island (HNRI), has joined the campaign. HNRI was recently selected through the campaign’s “Endorsement Application,” which enables state-level organizations pursuing multi-sector efforts focused on housing policy to earn a formal endorsement from the national campaign.

Rhode Island’s top lawmakers are vowing to address the ever-increasing cost of housing in the state during the current legislative session, but they haven’t quite fleshed out a plan for how to pay for it.

Everyone pretty much agrees that Rhode Island is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis as the state prepares to enter the third decade of the 21st century. Housing may be the place where jobs go to sleep at night, but what if there is no place to go?

Addressing housing stability is the first step towards healthy living. BCBSRI is tackling this social determinant of health from all angles after the results of the RI Life Index.

Ahead of a Providence City Council Ordinance Committee meeting to hear an ordinance introduced by Councilmember Rachel Miller (Ward 13) to ban discrimination in housing based on source of income, advocates and community members gathered outside City Council Chambers on the third floor of Providence City Hall to talk about the importance of the legislation.

HomesRI, a “cross-sector coalition of organizations working together to increase and preserve the supply of safe, healthy and affordable homes throughout Rhode Island,” held an event at the State House on Tuesday to announce their 2020 legislative agenda. The State Room was filled to overflowing with supporters.

How does the community effort to halt the proposed waste transfer station fit into policy priorities?