RIHousing seeking input from public on three proposals
PROVIDENCE – 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, Sept. 23, 5 to 7 p.m., North Kingstown Free Library, 100 Boone St., North Kingstown
• Tuesday, Sept. 24, 6 to 8 p.m., Thundermist Health Center Community Room, 450 Clinton St., Woonsocket
• Wednesday, Sept. 25, 4 to 6 p.m., Woodlawn Community Center, 210 West Ave., Pawtucket
RIHousing and OHCD staff will also be at the following pop-up events to solicit feedback and answer questions:
• Monday, Sept. 23, noon to 2 p.m., Knight Memorial Library, 275 Elmwood Ave., Providence
• Tuesday, Sept. 24, 3 to 5 p.m., Thundermist Farmers Market, 450 Clinton St., Woonsocket
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, Oct. 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.
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, aneirinckx@ rihousing.com; or Laura Sullivan, State of Rhode Island, Office of Housing and Community Development, Assistant Chief, 401-222-6844, laura.sullivan@doa.ri.gov