About

RIHousing encourages community members to attend the public meetings and/or pop-up events to learn about the project and share ideas.

Providence, RI – RIHousing is holding multiple public meetings and pop-up events regarding the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) FY 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, FY 2025 Annual Action Plan and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing. The Consolidated Plan and Annual Action plan are required documents for the State’s federal funding programs of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME, Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) and National Housing Trust Fund. Meeting times and locations are as follows:

Public Meetings:

• Monday, June 10, 2024, 6:30PM-8:00PM at the Woonsocket Harris Public Library, 303 Clinton St, Woonsocket, RI 02895
• Tuesday, June 11, 2024, 12:00PM-2:00PM at Warwick Library Central Branch, 600 Sandy Ln, Warwick, RI 02889
• Tuesday, June 11, 2024, 4:00PM-6:00PM at the North Kingstown Free Library, 100 Boone St, North Kingstown, RI 02842
• Wednesday, June 12, 2024,12:00PM-2:00PM at the Barrington Library, 281 S. County Rd, Barrington, RI 02806

Pop-Ups:

• Tuesday, June 11, 2024, 9:00AM-10:45AM at the Warwick Library Central Branch Lobby, 600 Sandy Ln, Warwick, RI 02889
• Wednesday, June 12, 2024, 4:00PM-6:00PM at the Hope & Main Makers Market, 691 Main St, Warren, RI 02885

RIHousing is a self-supporting, quasi-public agency created in 1973 to provide financing and resources to offer housing options to Rhode Islanders. RIHousing works to ensure that all people who live in Rhode Island can afford an attractive home that meets their needs.

By May 2025, RIHousing will adopt the new Five-Year Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan which will describe Rhode Island’s affordable housing and community development funding priorities and goals for the next five years. It will also describe how the State will plan on using its federal funds for projects in FY 2025 to address the identified high priority needs. Additionally, the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI) will be completed in early 2025 and will identify barriers to housing choice for members of the protected classes. The AI will also include a fair housing action plan that identifies barriers to fair housing and a plan to address those barriers.

Public input is essential to the planning process to help shape future affordable housing and community development priorities in Rhode Island. The public meetings and pop-ups will give community members an opportunity to learn about the Consolidated Plan, the Annual Action Plan and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing and share their thoughts on the region’s existing housing and community development needs.

Attachment: Frequently Asked Questions – Analysis of Imediments to Fair Housing Choice and Five-Year Consolidated Plan 2025

Opening adds 79 new units of affordable housing in Providence

Providence, RI – Today Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Rhode Island Field Office Director Peter Asen, the Rhode Island Department of Housing Secretary Stefan Pryor, Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris, and State Senator Tiara Mack joined Omni Development Corporation, Wingate Companies, RIHousing, Citizens Bank, and other funding and local community partners at the ribbon cutting for the Joseph Caffey Apartments and Jordan Caffey Townhomes in Providence, marking a new start for the former Barbara Jordan II Apartments site. 

“There is such a tremendous need for quality, affordable housing and so it’s exciting to cut the ribbon on this transformational complex and welcome home dozens of new residents and families. This ambitious project is a major win for Providence and is due to the hard work and teamwork of so many community partners. I was pleased to do my part at the federal level to help deliver funding and I commend RIHousing, HUD, the state, the city, and everyone who played a role in making this redevelopment work not just for new residents, but for the whole neighborhood,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed, who has championed the Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, the HOME Investment Partnership Program, the Capital Magnet Fund, the Housing Trust Fund, and other federal sources of housing revenue to increase the stock of affordable housing in Rhode Island. Reed began working in 2000 to preserve these HUD units and keep them affordable for local tenants.

The completion of the Caffey development adds 79 units of new affordable housing to the Upper South Providence neighborhood. Homes will be available to individuals and families making 30%-80% of the Area Median Income, which for a two-person household is between $23,200 and $61,900.

“We know that investing in affordable housing is about building futures and strengthening communities. That’s why our Administration has made strategic, historic investments to grow Rhode Island’s housing stock and connect more Rhode Islanders with an affordable place to call home,” said Governor Dan McKee. “On behalf of the State of Rhode Island, I thank all the partners who came together to make this project possible.”

“This moment has been in the works since 2018. Long before housing was the top issue at the State House, Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris and RIHousing were working together with the community to build the housing that this neighborhood deserves,” said Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos. “This is more than just 79 new affordable homes: it’s proof that community-led collaboration between cities, the state, and private companies can help us address our housing crisis.”

The Barbara Jordan II Apartments formerly at this location included 26 blighted and vacant two- and three-story apartment buildings over almost three acres. The buildings, constructed throughout the 1980s, had been abandoned and vacant since 2015; the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) foreclosed on the apartments in 2018 and later the same year transferred ownership of the development to RIHousing.

“This is the beginning of a new chapter for a very long story at these developments,” said Peter Asen, Rhode Island Field Office Director for HUD. “HUD appreciates the many local, state and federal elected and career officials who worked over a decade to ensure that the resources would be there to rebuild much needed affordable housing in Upper South Providence.”

“Creating more affordable housing continues to be a top priority for Rhode Island,” said Rhode Island Department of Housing Secretary Stefan Pryor. “The Joseph Caffey Apartments and Jordan Caffey Townhomes were completed through extensive collaboration, a focus on community revitalization, and a commitment to serve the most vulnerable Rhode Islanders. Congratulations to RIHousing, Omni Development, and Wingate Companies on opening the doors to this much needed affordable housing development in Upper South Providence.”

After taking ownership, RIHousing and community partners embarked on an eight-month community engagement process, ensuring neighborhood residents, businesses, institutions, organizations, and other local stakeholders had key involvement in the redevelopment of the site and its surroundings. The discussions held during the engagement process informed RIHousing’s next steps in redevelopment.

“This development exemplifies what can be achieved when we engage with the community to transform underutilized properties into affordable living spaces for our neighbors,” said Providence Mayor Brett P. Smiley. “Increasing the housing supply in our city requires finding innovative solutions and getting creative with the historical buildings we already have. I am proud to join RIHousing in celebrating the completion of the Joseph Caffey Apartments and Jordan Caffey Townhomes.”

“I am incredibly proud to see this affordable housing development come to fruition and transform our neighborhood into one connected community here in South Providence,” said Providence Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11). “I vividly remember the deplorable housing conditions of the old buildings and the despair on the faces of those living here when I knocked on doors many years ago. This new community was built on a strong foundation of private and public partnerships working collaboratively to give folks safe and affordable homes.”

“These units will help ensure families in my district have affordable housing options,” said Rhode Island State Senator Tiara Mack. “The rising cost of rent has impacted too many in recent years. I am grateful for organizations like Omni that build beautiful, affordable homes that keep families in Providence who would otherwise be forced to leave.”

Incorporating feedback from the community engagement process, RIHousing released a Developer Request for Proposals (RFP) in 2019. After a diligent review of the developer submissions by RIHousing staff and the unanimous approval from an outside advisory committee, the final developer selection took place at the June 2020 RIHousing Board of Commissioners meeting. Omni Development and Wingate Companies were chosen as co-developers.

“The successful completion of this development is a powerful testament of perseverance and working collectively with others to address the housing needs in our community,” said Sharon Morris, Executive Director of Omni Development Corporation. “Quality affordable housing options transform communities, and I am excited that Omni Development and Wingate Companies was afforded this opportunity to build these apartments that will soon be called home for 79 families.”

“Wingate is grateful and proud to contribute to Providence’s revitalization and vitality; crafting affordable, high-quality apartments that echo the city’s spirit,” said Brian Kean, Senior Vice President of Wingate Companies. “Collaborating with our joint venture partner Omni Development, we’re dedicated to building homes where dreams thrive and communities flourish.”

A ceremonial groundbreaking in April 2022 marked the beginning of construction on the four-story apartment building and two-story townhomes.

Numerous funding sources made this redevelopment possible, including both 4% and 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and construction and permanent financing from RIHousing, Citizens Bank, and the Providence Redevelopment Authority.

“The redevelopment of the Barbara Jordan II Apartments into the Joseph Caffey Apartments and Jordan Caffey Townhomes has been a long and meaningful process for all of those involved,” said Carol Ventura, CEO of RIHousing. “RIHousing is proud to have provided funding and support in the transformation of blighted properties into beautiful new affordable homes for the people of this neighborhood. We remain committed to the development of more affordable communities across Rhode Island and look forward to working with our partners to expand our state’s housing inventory.”

The Joseph Caffey Apartments are a 54-unit, four-story building, named for the 24-year President and CEO of the Omni Development Corporation; Joseph Caffey was also the former Director of Housing Rehabilitation for the City of Providence and was the President of the National Leased Housing Association based in Washington, D.C.

The Jordan Caffey Townhomes are so named to honor both Joseph Caffey and the namesake for the original development on the site, Barbara Jordan, a trailblazing Congresswoman and a leader of the Civil Rights movement.

Residents of the Caffey Apartments and Townhomes will have access to an onsite digital learning center that was funded through a $500,000 investment from Citizens. Equipped with computers and high-speed Wi-Fi, the technology center will host wrap-around workforce development and education support to help residents achieve independence, self-sufficiency, and overall well-being.

“At Citizens, we are committed to strengthening our local communities and supporting the economic growth and success of Rhode Island and its vibrant communities like Upper South Providence,” said Keith Kelly, Rhode Island President at Citizens. “We’re honored to help finance the Caffey Apartments and Townhomes redevelopment project and to fund the construction of the new onsite digital learning center that will provide resources and wrap-around services to help residents achieve their goals.”

Block Party
Today, in celebration of the opening of the Caffey Apartments and Townhomes and in partnership with Omni Development Corporation and Wingate Companies, RIHousing is holding the South Side Spring Block Party from 12pm-4pm in the parking lot of the Joseph Caffey Apartments, 23 Portland Street, Providence. The block party has family-friendly activities, food trucks, resources from local companies and organizations, and more. This event is open to the public.

Providence, RI – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded $354,369 to Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation to assist youth with a history of foster care involvement who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and families whose lack of adequate housing is the primary reason their children are in foster care. This funding, offered through HUD’s Family Unification Program (FUP), will provide 28 housing vouchers to youth and families in Rhode Island.

“Rhode Island is fortunate to have excellent and dedicated service providers working with families and youth in the state,” said HUD New England Regional Administrator Juana Matias. “HUD is proud to partner with such strong allies for this important program that will assist youth and families with housing and critical services. We look forward to our continued collaboration with Rhode Island Housing, the continuum of care, state and nonprofit partners to increase access to resources and ensure we are placing families on a path towards permanent housing.”

As part of FUP, public housing authorities (PHA) partner with public child welfare agencies (PCWAs), and Continuums of Care (CoC) to offer Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs) to two groups:

• Families for whom the lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in the imminent placement of the family’s child, or children, in out-of-home care; or the delay in the discharge of the child, or children, to the family from out-of-home care; and
• Youth aged 18 to 24, who have either exited foster care or will do so within the next 90 days, and meet the criteria outlined in Section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act, are eligible if they are homeless or at risk of homelessness and are 16 years or older.

PHAs administer the FUP in partnership with PCWAs, which are responsible for referring FUP families and youths to the PHA for the determination of eligibility for rental assistance. After the PCWA makes the referral, the PHA places the FUP applicant on its waiting list, assesses whether the family or youth meets HCV program eligibility requirements, and manages all other processes related to voucher issuance and administration.

“Ensuring every family and child has a safe and stable place to call home is a basic, core community commitment that helps give our youth the best possible chance to succeed. With these new federal housing vouchers, more Rhode Island families will be able to live together and thrive together and youth aging out of foster care will be better supported as they enter adulthood,” said Senator Jack Reed, a senior member of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. “I look forward to seeing these vouchers helping our most vulnerable Rhode Islanders.”

“These federal vouchers will help youth and families who have been through a difficult time get safe, supportive housing and most importantly, stay together with loved ones, as they regain their footing,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “Well done to RIHousing and DCYF on securing these vouchers, as this is the first time in years that Rhode Island has received them.”

“Every young person deserves a loving family and a stable home,” said Congressman Seth Magaziner. “I am excited that Rhode Island is receiving a federal Family Unification Voucher award, and am committed to working with my colleagues to ensure that all young Rhode Islanders can have a happy and safe childhood.”

“I am excited that our state has received over $350,000 in critical federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Family Unification Program to support our youth and families’ efforts to access more permanent and stable housing,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “This program is vital to ensuring that families and children have the resources to remain together. I am eager to see the positive impact that these funds will have on the lives of Rhode Islanders and our critical mission to reduce and ultimately end homelessness.”

“Addressing family homelessness is a key area of focus, and through HUD’s Family Unification Program, we are providing essential support to Rhode Island’s vulnerable youth and families,” said Secretary of Housing Stefan Pryor. “This creative partnership will change lives and use resources more efficiently. We thank the collaboration of our federal partners, our congressional delegation, RIHousing, Department of Children Youth and Families, Foster Forward, Family Services of RI, and others.”

“RIHousing is proud to be an implementer and administrator of the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Family Unification Program, in partnership with the state Department of Children, Youth and Families,” said Carol Ventura, CEO of RIHousing. “This program will provide crucial housing and supportive services to Rhode Island’s most vulnerable youth, ensuring families stay together. We look forward to administering and expanding this important program to provide Rhode Island youth and families with stability and opportunities for growth.”

“These FUP vouchers are critical to families and young people legally involved with DCYF who face housing instability challenges. This is a key step forward in DCYF efforts to ensure children are reunited with their parents when the only challenge is lack of housing,” said DCYF Director Ashley Deckert. “This also supports our efforts to ensure young people leaving our Voluntary Extension of Care (VEC) Program are able to continue to have a safe place to live. We appreciate the Governor and Secretary Pryor’s leadership on finding solutions to Rhode Island’s housing crisis and our ongoing partnerships with RIHousing, Family Services of RI and Foster Forward in addressing these needs.”

“A safe and affordable home is the cornerstone of stability and well-being for children and families,” said Family Service of RI CEO Margaret Holland McDuff. “These FUP vouchers are a tool to help families access a home and the support they need, so they can remain together or achieve reunification. I cannot think of more heartwarming news this holiday season! FSRI is truly excited and so thankful to HUD, RIHousing, DCYF and Foster Forward for their partnership that made this possible.”

“These federally funded vouchers are a transformational resource in our work to end homelessness for youth and families who are currently unhoused,” said Lisa Guillette, Executive Director of Foster Forward. “The vouchers make housing affordable, and our ability to couple this with comprehensive services to support their self-sufficiency strengthens our work with youth and families as well as all of our communities.”