PRESS RELEASE
June 30, 2022
CONTACT:
Patricia Resende
Office of the Mayor
Tel: 401-529-3207
E-mail:presende@eastprovidenceri.gov
City of East Providence supports affordable housing with CDBG funds
EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – The City of East Providence is using $445,000 for the creation of more affordable housing opportunities and existing affordable housing programs in the City.
A total of $154,000 will be used to convert an existing underutilized property to affordable housing. The location provides access to public transportation and local shopping and will also house supportive services and job readiness/training on the ground floor.
In addition, the City is also funding its Home Improvement Program (HIP) with $195,000 to enable income-eligible homeowners and renters to maintain existing affordable housing stock by addressing building and health code violations, energy-inefficient mechanical systems and windows, and any other existing issues with the properties.
One of the biggest concerns brought to our administration’s attention during several community outreach events at local congregated living properties is security. The Administration is finding ways to address that including awarding $96,000 through CDBG funds for the installation of security cameras to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its residents.
“We are committed to providing our residents with safe and affordable housing as we have done with a number of recent projects,” Mayor DaSilva said.
Other affordable housing projects in the works in East Providence include:
Ivy Place: New construction of affordable homeownership units in a mixed-use building that includes four live/work units for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Ivy Place is on a vacant infill site located across from East Providence City Hall. A total of 10 units will be sold to households at or below 80 percent Area Medium Income (AMI) and three units will be sold to households below 100 percent AMI
Residences at Riverside Square/Vamco: Residences at Riverside Square (East Providence): 16 new affordable rental apartments for households with incomes between 30 percent and 80 percent of AMI, three of which will be reserved for youth aging out of foster care. The redevelopment of this site will revitalize a long-vacant and blighted property adjacent to the East Bay Bike Path.
Platt-Waters School Complex: The city will be making available for building, three, deed-restricted 10,000 square-foot lots in Riverside for owner-occupied affordable housing duplexes. The affordable housing designation ensures those three parcels will be restricted to households earning up to 80 percent of the AMI. A Request for Proposal (RFP) is slated to go out in July.
Recently, Gov. Dan McKee announce the allocation of funds to fully fund some of these projects to ensure their completion.
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