HNRI Press Releases
Housing Network of Rhode Island Statement on $102 Million in Funding for Housing Construction and Preservation
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
Rhode Island Lawmakers Join Housing Network of Rhode Island and South County Habitat for Humanity for Legislative Build Day
Hopkinton, RI – Rhode Island lawmakers rolled up their sleeves alongside the Housing
Network of Rhode Island (HNRI) and the South County Habitat for Humanity today during a
special legislative build day. Senator Bridget Valverde, Senator Victoria Gu, Representative
Julie Casimiro, and Representative Matthew Dawson worked together with other volunteers to
construct a home for a local South County family in need of safe and affordable housing.
The home being constructed is part of the Cardinal Lane development, a community consisting
of seven single-family homes for families with household incomes at or below 80% of the Area
Median Income (AMI). This initiative underscores the collective commitment of legislators, public
and private developers, individuals and advocates to address the pressing need for affordable
housing in Rhode Island.
“We are thrilled to partner with members of the General Assembly and the South County Habitat
for Humanity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of local families,” said Melina Lodge,
Executive Director of the Housing Network of Rhode Island. “By coming together today, we’re
building not only housing, but also hope and stability for those in our community who need it
most.”
Legislators and volunteers did not need prior building experience to participate in the build day.
They received comprehensive training, tools, and safety equipment to ensure a productive and
fulfilling experience on-site.
“We are grateful for the support and enthusiasm of the members of the General Assembly who
joined us for this event,” said South County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Colin
Penney. “Their dedication to serving our community and addressing the critical need for
affordable housing is truly commendable. Together, we can create lasting positive change for
local families.”
This collaborative effort exemplifies the power of partnership and community engagement in
addressing housing challenges and fostering inclusive, thriving communities. Through initiatives
like this, the Housing Network of Rhode Island and its member organizations are working
towards a future where every Rhode Islander has access to safe, healthy, and affordable
homes.
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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
Housing Network launches Community Development Month
Month of activities planned to celebrate contributions of Rhode Island’s nonprofit affordable housing developers
PROVIDENCE – The Housing Network of Rhode Island and its members gathered at the State House on April 3 to launch Community Development Month to celebrate the impact of Rhode Island’s Community Development Corporations (CDCs) and nonprofit housing developers.
The Housing Network is made up of 19 member organizations committed to the development of affordable homes and vital communities across R.I. Community Development Month is an opportunity to celebrate these organizations and the transformational work they do to build a brighter, more equitable future.
“The Housing Network’s members are a vital piece of Rhode Island’s housing development sector and are at the forefront of the effort to expand equitable housing and economic opportunities for low-income Rhode Islanders. We know community development goes beyond bricks and mortar. In addition to helping to address Rhode Island’s affordable housing crisis; these mission-driven organizations are making lasting change in communities statewide by offering a variety of critical resources,” said Melina Lodge, Executive Director, Housing Network of Rhode Island. “We invite you to join us this week to learn more and celebrate the many contributions of our members.”
Following the April 3 kickoff, HNRI’s members will be hosting their own events in the communities they serve throughout the month (see full schedule below).
Based on a recent survey, Housing Network members have the capacity to produce and preserve over 2,100 homes within the next three years if the necessary resources are allocated.
In addition to producing safe and affordable homes from Westerly to Woonsocket, our members are actively engaged within the communities they serve; maintaining child care facilities and commercial spaces; supporting community gardens and start-up food enterprises; providing job training, homebuyer counseling, landlord education and home repair funds; and offering personal and small business micro-loans or grants.
“Community development is about comprehensively addressing a community’s needs at large and bringing parity in access to basic needs such as food security, healthcare, education, and opening other doors that deliver economic opportunity to our state’s most vulnerable populations,” said Jennifer Hawkins, President and CEO, ONE Neighborhood Builders. “Oftentimes housing is the first big step to other pieces falling into place for residents we serve at ONE NB. Over the course of nearly four decades, our organization has developed over 480 rental units and 130 homeownership units in our mission to expand more equitable communities.”
“Rhode Island’s nonprofit developers are committed to building stronger, more resilient communities. By empowering residents and educating future homebuyers through programs like homebuyer and landlord education workshops – and by providing affordable, healthy homeownership and rental opportunities for Rhode Islanders – nonprofits like NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley are leading neighborhood revitalization efforts and encouraging economic opportunity for every resident no matter their income,” said Daynah Gist-Williams, Director of Homeownership and Asset Building Services, NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley.
“This month, we celebrate the ways local nonprofits
Homes RI and Housing Network react to key housing initiatives passed in ‘23 session
PROVIDENCE — The Housing Network of Rhode Island and Homes RI, a multi-sector housing advocacy coalition, are pleased to see the General Assembly’s continued emphasis on housing reflected in key legislative initiatives and the FY24 budget.
On July 5, the Governor signed into law a package of 13 bills championed by House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi aimed at housing production and land use reform, including:
- Allowing for the adaptive reuse of certain commercial structures like factories, hospitals, offices, malls and schools into high-density residential developments.
- Creating a transit-oriented development pilot program.
- Streamlining and clarifying the permitting, application and appeal processes for housing developments.
- Requiring regular updates to comprehensive plans.
The package also contained legislation to prohibit rental application fees and allow tenants to provide their own state-issued background check and/or credit report during the screening process. The inclusion of this bill (House 6087 aa, sponsored by Rep. Cruz, and Senate 311 Sub-A sponsored by Sen. Murray) among the Speaker’s priorities yielded a significant protection for prospective renters designed to curb burgeoning and often predatory fees associated with rental applications.
In addition to the application fee legislation, the General Assembly approved several more significant tenant and homeowner protections – firmly signaling that the expansion of these protections is essential to increasing housing stability while the State undertakes measures to address housing supply and affordability. These include a package of lead poisoning prevention bills backed by Attorney General Peter Neronha. One of the highlights of the AG’s bill package is legislation that creates a statewide rental registry and will help enforce compliance with existing lead safety laws, among other protections for renters impacted by noncompliant landlords. A bill requiring replacement of residential lead pipes – a priority of Senate President Dominick Ruggerio – also passed, making this session an historic one for advancing policies and practices to prevent childhood lead poisoning in Rhode Island.
The General Assembly also passed legislation that provides a pathway to seal eviction records, something that has been a priority of Homes RI and many advocate partners since 2018. Legislation to extend the time on foreclosure mediation legislation also passed, which helps ensure that Rhode Islanders at risk of foreclosure can access free mediation and counseling to potentially avoid the loss of their home.
The FY24 Budget reflects the Administration and General Assembly’s response to the housing crisis, and we applaud both branches of government for taking decisive action with an additional $71.5 million investment from State Fiscal Recovery Funds in housing, homelessness services, and Housing Department infrastructure. These investments are welcome and necessary, and investments in housing should remain a top priority in future budget years as our State confronts the impacts of under-building and under-investing for the prior three decades.
Overall, the housing investments in the FY24 budget coupled with the slate of land use and housing stability legislation
Housing Network celebrates Rhode Island’s Community Development Corporations
PROVIDENCE – The Housing Network of Rhode Island is pleased to kick-off Rhode Island Community Development Corporation Week (March 13-17) with the release of the Network’s 2021-2022 Membership Impact Report.
The Housing Network of Rhode Island (HNRI) is the state’s membership organization of Community Development Corporations (CDCs) and nonprofit housing developers, who are committed to expanding equitable housing and economic opportunities for low-income Rhode Islanders.
The Housing Network’s members are a critical piece of the state’s housing development sector and essential to ensuring every Rhode Islander has a safe, healthy, affordable home in a thriving community. The Impact Report details the contributions to Rhode Island’s communities and economy of our 15 member nonprofits from 2021 to 2022.
Shortage of affordable housing has worsened, RI supply is insufficient
PROVIDENCE – The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes, a new report released today by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), finds a national shortage of 7.3 million affordable and available rental homes for extremely low-income renter households.
Between 2019 and 2021, the shortage of affordable housing for extremely low-income renters worsened by more than half a million units. While rental inflation has cooled going into 2023, extremely low-income renters will continue to face significant barriers to finding and maintaining affordable housing, as their incomes are insufficient to cover even modest rental prices.
Every year, The Gap reports on the severe shortage of affordable rental homes available to extremely low-income families and individuals. The new Gap report finds that the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by significant rent increases, drastically impacted the supply of affordable and available rental homes in recent years. As households lost income and rental prices increased, the number of extremely low-income households rose, while the number of units affordable to them shrank.
In Rhode Island, there are 51,596 extremely low-income households but only 27,547 affordable rental homes available to them. Rhode Island has just 74 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 households with extremely low incomes.
Facing a shortage of 24,049 affordable and available rental homes, 60 percent of Rhode Island renter households are severely housing cost-burdened, spending more than 50 percent of their monthly income on housing.
“According to this year’s Gap report, more than half Rhode Island’s renter households are severely housing cost-burdened. Since a disproportionate share of their income is being spent on monthly housing costs, this makes it difficult for these households to afford other essential needs, such as food, child and healthcare expenses,” said Housing Network of Rhode Island executive director Melina Lodge. “The staggering shortage of affordable and available rental homes means that it is imperative that Rhode Island continue to invest in policies and programs that will expand our stock of affordable homes, and we must act with urgency. Fortunately, there is a window of opportunity for us to capitalize on, with strong leadership in the House of Representatives by Speaker Shekarchi and the availability of federal resources to make initial investments – Rhode Island can still turn its housing crisis around.”
“Each week, the Coordinated Entry System Help Center receives over 1,000 calls from Rhode Islanders suffering due to the devastating housing crisis in our state. This Gap report demonstrates what we are all experiencing, the supply of housing does not meet demand,” said Caitlin Frumerie, executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness. “When there isn’t enough supply, people are left with nowhere to go and often end up living outdoors. In the last two weeks, there were 379 Rhode Islanders who are unsheltered and scores more who are housing insecure. We must address this gap before the crisis worsens.”
“The Gap report is a great resource to help us think about how we are serving the needs of our extremely low-income renter households. Beyond