News

RI voters can act now by voting “Yes on 3” to approve $120 million housing bond 

PAWTUCKET, RI – “The latest HousingWorks RI Fact Book reveals a stark reality: no Rhode Island community is affordable for buyers earning under $100,000 per year, and renters must earn $75,000 annually to afford the average 2-bedroom rental, which is almost $30,000 more than the median income for renter households,” said Melina lodge, Executive Director of the Housing Network of Rhode Island. 

“This crisis demands urgent action and with early voting already underway and Election Day fast approaching, every RI voter can act now by voting “Yes on 3.” “Yes on 3” will approve a $120 million housing bond, which will provide the resources needed to develop affordable homes for all Rhode Islanders. This bond is crucial—not just for building new affordable housing—but also for preserving existing homes and ensuring stability for those at risk of losing their homes.

Rhode Island cannot truly thrive and prosper without its residents having access to safe, decent and affordable homes. The data released in today’s Fact Book shows that we must take comprehensive action now to increase housing affordability, and every RI voter can play a part in that in this election.”

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The Housing Network of Rhode Island (HNRI) is the state’s membership organization for agencies committed to developing affordable housing and vital communities. Currently composed of 19 community development corporations and affordable housing developers, our members have created thousands of affordable housing units from Westerly to Woonsocket and are leading community revitalization and economic development efforts across our state. Their wide array of activities– including real estate development, financial asset building, housing counseling, resident empowerment, and engagement, and much more– create tangible community change and transform the lives of Rhode Islanders. 

HNRI members include: Church Community Housing Corporation, Crossroads Rhode Island, Foster Forward, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Providence and East Bay, House of Hope Community Development Corporation, Jonnycake Center, NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, Omni Development Corporation, One Neighborhood Builders, Pawtucket Central Falls Development, Pawtucket Housing Authority, Providence Revolving Fund, Sojourner House, South County Habitat for Humanity, SWAP (Stop Wasting Abandoned Property) Inc., Valley Affordable Housing Corporation, WARM Center, West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation & Women’s Development Corporation.

Pawtucket, RI— Housing Network of Rhode Island (HNRI) and Homes RI coalition proudly joined the campaign encouraging Rhode Islanders to vote “Yes on 3” to support the state’s affordable housing production efforts. With a crisis of rising rental and home costs, limited affordable options, and increasing homelessness, this bond is crucial for creating affordable homes our communities urgently need.

“Having access to safe, decent housing can have a profound impact on shaping our lives,” said Melina Lodge, Executive Director of HNRI. “Our mental and physical health, social wellbeing, and economic stability and security are all influenced by the ability or inability to secure housing that is affordable to us. When we individually thrive, our neighborhoods, communities and state also thrive. The data is clear – the cost of housing in Rhode Island, either for rent or for sale, is out of reach for far too many Rhode Islanders. Rhode Island urgently needs more affordable housing, and this bond will ensure that the resources to develop those homes are available.” 

The Housing Network of Rhode Island is the state’s membership association of 20 agencies committed to developing affordable housing and vital communities. Members of the Housing Network currently have the capacity to produce and preserve over 2,100 affordable homes over the next three years, providing much-needed relief and stability for families across the state.

“Question 3 is a critical step in addressing the housing crisis our communities face,” said Linda Weisinger, Executive Director of Pawtucket Central Falls Development Corporation. “By approving this measure, Rhode Islanders can help build safe, affordable homeownership and rental homes that are so desperately needed.”

The Housing Network is also the lead organization for Homes RI, a multi-sector coalition of advocates, and housing and social service organizations committed to ensuring everyone in our state has access to safe, secure and affordable housing. Homes RI includes over 90 organizations and 200 individuals dedicated to this mission.

“‘Yes on 3’ is an opportunity for Rhode Island to make meaningful progress in tackling the state’s severe housing shortage,” said Joe Garlick, Executive Director of NeighborWorks Blackstone Valley. “The affordable homes created and preserved by voting yes on Question 3 serve to uplift families and strengthen our neighborhoods, which is something we all benefit from.”

$80 million of the proposed $120 million Housing Bond will support the development of affordable housing. The Housing Bond is a ballot measure that will appear as Question 3 on every Rhode Islander’s general election ballot across the state this November. 

“Access to safe, affordable housing is a fundamental need,” said Christian Belden, Executive Director of Church Community Housing Corporation. “By voting ‘Yes on 3,’ we can secure the resources necessary to increase housing production across the state. Investing in affordable housing is an investment in the future stability and prosperity of our communities.”

This investment is essential to continue the progress made in building affordable homes that started with the support of federal State Fiscal

Providence, RI – The Housing Network of Rhode Island (HNRI) and Homes RI coalition are excited to welcome Diane Yentel, President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, to advance a vital voter engagement initiative, Our Homes, Our Votes. Our Homes, Our Votes is a nonpartisan campaign to register and mobilize low-income renters and housing advocates to vote, building political will for housing solutions and amplifying underrepresented voices.

“We are dedicated to advocating for safe, affordable, and healthy homes for all Rhode Islanders,” said Katie West, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Housing Network of Rhode Island, the backbone organization of Homes RI. “This November, we have a crucial opportunity to influence the future of our state. The choices we make as voters can help tackle the affordable housing crisis that affects us all—renters, homeowners, and those experiencing homelessness or housing instability.” 

“Because of the voter turnout gap between low-income renters and high-income homeowners, elected officials persistently fail to enact housing policies that meet the needs of America’s lowest-income people,” said Diane Yentel, President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. “Through the nonpartisan Our Homes, Our Votes campaign, we can help close this voter turnout gap and empower low-income people to make their voices heard at the ballot box and build the political will for housing justice.” 

Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore joined the group for a community event at the West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation (WEHDC), a member of the Housing Providers Council, to engage voters and encourage participation in the upcoming general election on Tuesday, November 5. This event included voter registration information and resources for the Sankofa community and residents of the West End neighborhood. 

“Elections are our most direct opportunity to tell our government what matters most to us,” said Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore. “The Our Homes, Our Votes initiative encourages Rhode Islanders who are particularly interested in improving housing affordability – especially those whose voices may not historically have been heard – to participate in our democratic processes, and I’m proud to support their effort.” 

Yentel’s visit began with outreach at Shower to Empower, a one-of-a-kind mobile service provided by House of Hope that offers basic needs such as complimentary showers and haircuts, onsite case management and medical services to individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability. The goal of this outreach was to ensure every eligible individual is registered to vote and raise awareness about how people without stable housing can participate in the election.

“It is important that our residents and members of our community are informed, aware, and have access during this important election,” said West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation Executive Director Candace Harper. “The Our Homes, Our Votes campaign is helping us ensure information is provided

PAWTUCKET, RI – I commend and thank Governor McKee for ensuring minimal disruption to the urgent work of the Department of Housing with his appointment of Daniel Connors as interim Housing Secretary. Stable transitional leadership will be crucial in the months ahead as we continue to work with the State to address Rhode Island’s pressing housing challenges together. 

The Housing Secretary holds significant influence in shaping our state’s housing policies and programs. As the Governor contemplates the appointment of a permanent Housing Secretary, the chosen candidate must have a deep understanding of Rhode Island’s unique housing needs and opportunities, while demonstrating the ability to collaborate effectively with our state’s long-standing network of community development corporations, nonprofit housing developers and service provider organizations.

In June 2024, the General Assembly approved the State’s largest investment to date in affordable housing production with the inclusion of a $120 million Housing Bond in the FY25 budget. With appropriate funding available, Housing Network of Rhode Island members estimate they have the capacity to produce and preserve more than 2,100 affordable homes within the next three years. This investment is a pivotal opportunity to ensure these homes are built and make significant progress in addressing the housing crisis, which the Housing Secretary plays an important role in.

We stand ready to work with the Governor’s Office in making recommendations about the qualifications, skills, and qualities that the permanent Housing Secretary should possess, and remain committed to working closely with the new Housing Secretary to ensure that Rhode Island can move forward with comprehensive, effective and equitable housing solutions.

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Providence, RI – The Housing Network of Rhode Island (HNRI) and Homes RI applaud House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and the House Finance Committee for allocating $120 million to the General Obligation Housing Bond and funding for the lead rental registry in the proposed FY25 proposed budget. This investment is crucial to keep up the
progress made in funding and building affordable homes that began with federal State Fiscal Recovery funds.

Rhode Island is currently facing a crisis of rising home and rental costs, limited affordable housing options, and increasing rates of homelessness. The best solution to these issues is to build more homes. Housing Network of Rhode Island members estimate they have the
capacity to produce and preserve more than 2,100 affordable homes within the next three years. The Housing Bond, which will primarily fund affordable housing production, represents a critical investment in ensuring those homes can be built.

While the House proposed budget takes important steps in the right direction, continued and sustained efforts are essential to address our housing crisis, accelerate housing production, expand affordable homes, and strengthen tenant protections. We remain committed to working collaboratively with policymakers, advocates, and community stakeholders to develop and implement solutions that ensure all Rhode Islanders have
access to safe, affordable, and stable homes.

PROVIDENCE, RI – “The Housing Network of Rhode Island (HNRI) celebrates the recent announcement of more than $102 million in funding to support the construction and preservation of over 1,400 homes across Rhode Island,” said HNRI Executive Director Melina Lodge. “This substantial investment represents another step towards addressing the urgent housing needs in our state.

We commend RIHousing for its thorough review of the many deserving projects and extend our gratitude to Governor McKee and state and federal officials. This funding will ensure that more than 1,200 of these homes are affordable, making a meaningful difference in the lives of many Rhode Islanders.

Housing Network members, who received a significant portion of this funding, are dedicated to improving housing availability and quality across the state. Our members have the capacity to produce and preserve over 2,100 homes within the next three years if the necessary resources are allocated.

We look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition and bring much-needed relief to families and individuals throughout Rhode Island. Together, we can ensure that every Rhode Islander has a safe, affordable place to call home.”

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The Housing Network of Rhode Island (HNRI) is the state’s membership organization for agencies committed to developing affordable housing and vital communities. Currently composed of 19 community development corporations and affordable housing developers, our members have created thousands of affordable housing units from Westerly to Woonsocket and are leading community revitalization and economic development efforts across our state. Their wide array of activities– including real estate development, financial asset building, housing counseling, resident empowerment and engagement, and much more– create tangible community change and transform the lives of Rhode Islanders.

HNRI members include: Church Community Housing Corporation, Crossroads Rhode Island, Foster Forward, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Providence and East Bay, House of Hope Community Development Corporation, Jonnycake Center, NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, Omni Development Corporation, ONE Neighborhood Builders, Pawtucket Central Falls Development, Pawtucket Housing Authority, Providence Revolving Fund, Sojourner House, South County Habitat for Humanity, SWAP (Stop Wasting Abandoned Property) Inc., Valley Affordable Housing Corporation, WARM Center, West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation & Women