Press Release: City rolls out two initiatives to address residents' housing needs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 21, 2021

CONTACT INFO. :

Office of the Mayor

Patricia Resende (401) 529-3207

presende@eastprovidenceri.gov

City rolls out two initiatives to address residents’ housing needs

PROVIDENCE, RI – The City of East Providence has rolled out two new initiatives to assist residents negatively impacted by COVID-19. Mayor Bob DaSilva, together with the City’s Finance Department and Office of Community Development, has rolled out a Housing Assistance Program and an opportunity for Tax Sale relief.

The Housing Assistance Program will provide assistance to eligible tenants/homeowners who are facing financial hardship, specifically due to the pandemic and are at risk of eviction or foreclosure. (See packet information and application below)

In addition, Mayor DaSilva also signed Executive Order 2021-004, which postpones the annual tax sale process to December 2021. With the tax sale scheduled for May 1, 2022, this will allow the taxpayer additional time to become current and therefore not be subject to the $300 levy fee. (See Executive Order 2021-004 below)

“Our City’s residents are facing challenging times during this pandemic,” Mayor DaSilva said. “With these two initiatives, we are able to provide our eligible resident tenants, landlords/homeowners with some of relief from financial hardship during a difficult time.”

Housing Assistance Program: The Housing Assistance Program is designed for eligible tenants/homeowners who are experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19, and are at risk of eviction or foreclosure that might result in becoming homeless. Owner occupied landlords are eligible for this program and may also initiate on behalf of their tenants.

Type of Assistance

1. Tenants:

The Housing Assistance Program will provide up to three (3) months in rent to stay in current unit.

Approved assistance payments will be issued directly to landlords.

2. Homeowners:

The Housing Assistance Program will provide up to three (3) months for mortgage payments to avoid foreclosure.

Payments will be made to the provider of such services on behalf of an individual or family, and not directly to an individual or family.

Eligibility

1.Tenants:

• Rent an apartment in East Providence
• Be or have been unemployed or underemployed beginning March 1, 2020 or after due to the pandemic (retirees exempt)
• Have been current on rent payments as of March 1, 2020
• Have less than $5,000 in nonretirement, liquid assets. Non-retirement, liquid assets include bank accounts, stocks, bonds, investments and cash value of life insurance
• Meet household income limits

2. Homeowners:

• Own a one-to four family property or condominium in East Providence
• Be or have been unemployed, underemployed, or not receiving rent beginning March 1, 2020 or after due to the pandemic (retirees exempt)
• Have been current on mortgage payments as of March 1, 2020
• Have less than $5,000 in non-retirement, liquid assets. Non-retirement, liquid assets include bank accounts, stocks, bonds, investments and cash value of life insurance
• Meet household income limits

Total Gross Household Income Must Be Under the Limits Below:

• 1 Person -$48,750
• 2 Person -$55,700
• 3 Person-$62,650
• 4 Person -$69,600
• 5 Person -$75,200
• 6 Person-$80,750
• 7 Person-$86,350
• 8 Person-$91,900

How is Household Income defined?

1. Household income consists of current gross income from all sources including social security, pension, salaries, wages, interest income, rent, unemployment benefits, etc.
2. Household size is the number of people who live in the home or housing unit regardless of relationship.

Examples of Financial Hardship:

• Household members may have been laid off;
• Household members have terminated;
• Household members may have had loss of hours, lost wages or business income;
• Household members may have been unable to work due to quarantine or a lack of childcare;
• Household members may had an extraordinary, unreimbursed medical expense exceeding 7.5 percent of one’s adjusted gross income for the year.

Applicants should prepare a short explanation of how COVID-19 has caused a financial hardship that has put them at risk of eviction or foreclosure.

For more information or to apply: Call the Community Development office at (401) 435-7536, visit us online at www.eastprovidenceri.gov under Departments/Community Development, or email jcollins@eastprovidenceri.gov or dbachrach@eastprovidenceri.gov