The State of Rhode Island’s FY 2023 Budget dedicated $221 million of the $1.1 billion it received in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds toward affordable housing and homelessness prevention. This investment builds on an initial allocation of $29 million towards housing that was approved by state lawmakers in January 2022, bringing the total investment to $250 million. Melina Lodge, executive director of the Housing Network of Rhode Island called the investment “historic,” noting that prior to 2021, Rhode Island relied primarily on bond referenda to fund affordable housing development. “This investment helps us to build scaffolding for future investments,” she said. “The budget acknowledges the urgency of the problem, prioritizes housing for lower-income households, and provides the opportunity for CDCs and nonprofit developers to demonstrate what this investment can do for the state.” The budget includes a total of $85 million for the construction of affordable homes, $30 million for first-time homebuyer down payment assistance, and $35 million to develop housing solutions for people experiencing homelessness, allocated over multiple fiscal years through FY25.

Melina serves on the House Special Legislative Commission to Study the Rhode Island Low and Moderate Income Housing Act. The Commission was reinstated in 2021 by House Speaker Joe Shekarchi (D-23) and is chaired by Representative June Speakman (D-68). Throughout the 2022 legislative session, the Housing Network worked with the Speaker’s office and bill sponsors to draft a package of complementary legislation that was passed by the General Assembly. The package of 10 bills elevates the Deputy Secretary of Housing to a cabinet-level Secretary position, reduces barriers and streamlines processes to increase development activity, expands access to a greater diversity of housing options including accessory dwelling units, repurposed schools, and historic buildings, and proscribes the collection of useful data to drive thoughtful and responsive policy making in the future. 

View the Housing Network of Rhode Island’s legislative summary and press release.

Training for Community Development Professionals

You’re invited to participate in a training co-facilitated by Elana Brochin, Program Director for Health Equity of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations. The training will explore the connections among health disparities, housing, and other structures that have been defined by racist policies and practices. Register by Monday, July 18. This training is geared toward community development professionals, planners, housing advocates, and others with little or no formal training in health equity or public health.