Housing & Community Development

Strong, vibrant, and livable neighborhoods are the foundation of great cities. The Division of Housing & Community Development supports the creation of quality places through the strategic deployment of Federal funding provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In partnership with local community organizations and agencies, the Division of Housing & Community Development seeks to improve the lives and living conditions of the City’s low- and moderate-income residents. Through this funding, the City supports community-based strategies that enhance economic opportunity, build strong, safe, and stable neighborhoods, and provide quality affordable housing throughout the City.

The Division of Housing & Community Development is responsible for the administration of the following HUD-funded programs:

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

The Community Development Block Grant was created in 1974 by the federal government to help revitalize local communities by providing decent housing, suitable living environments, and expanded economic opportunities, principally for low and moderate-income persons. Each year, the city receives funding to help achieve these goals from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These grant funds are passed on to eligible organizations through an annual competitive grant process, based on priorities established in the Consolidated Plan.

HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME)

HOME is authorized under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, as amended. Program regulations are at 24 CFR Part 92. The HOME program final rule is available electronically. Additional information about the HOME program can be found by visiting the HOME program web pages.

HOME provides loans to fund a wide range of activities that build, buy, and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent or home-ownership or provide direct rental assistance to low-income people.

Eligible Activities Include:

Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)

The Emergency Shelter Grants program provides homeless persons with basic shelter and essential supportive services. It can assist with the operational costs of the shelter facility, and for the administration of the grant. ESG also provides short-term homeless prevention assistance to persons at imminent risk of losing their own housing due to eviction, foreclosure, or utility shutoffs. Each year, the city receives funding to support these services from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These grant funds are passed on to eligible organizations through an annual competitive grant process.

Eligibility

Shelters and other homeless providers are eligible to apply for funds for the following activities:

Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)

The Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program was created by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to address the specific needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families, particularly in the area of housing and supportive services. Each year, the city receives funding to support these services in the Providence metropolitan area, including parts of Massachusetts, from HUD. These grant funds are passed on to eligible organizations through an annual competitive grant process.

Eligibility Organizations providing housing assistance for low-income persons living with AIDS are eligible to apply for funds for the following activities:

We offer a variety of financial assistance programs to help low and moderate-income residents buy a home or maintain their existing home. Additionally, we work with both for-profit and non-profit developers and other organizations to increase the amount of affordable and special needs housing units throughout the city.

HOME REPAIR PROGRAM

If you have immediate repair problems and don’t qualify with a traditional lending institution, you may qualify for this one! Homeowners seeking Emergency Repairs are encouraged to apply.

*The City of Providence is not accepting any additional Home Repair applications at this time. Please check back or call 401-680-8400 for when funds will be next available. Thank you.*

LEAD SAFE PROVIDENCE PROGRAM (LSPP)

General Information: The City of Providence provides loans to help make properties “lead-safe”. Loans for owner-occupied homes are forgivable after 5 years; loans for non-owner-occupied properties are forgivable after 10 years.

Lead Safe Registry The Providence Lead Safe Housing Registry is provided to inform the community of housing units that have been made safe from lead-based paint hazards. The following units were determined to be lead-safe following their participation in the LSPP funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control. The units shown below were deemed lead-safe based on a lead evaluation on the date shown.

“Lead-safe” means that there was no deteriorated lead-based paint, no lead-contaminated dust, and no exposed lead-contaminated soil identified at the time of the lead evaluation. This does not mean the property is “lead-free” as lead-based paint or lead in the soil may remain. The work was completed by certified Lead Professionals. The City of Providence makes no warranties as to the current condition of the property. Deterioration or activities of the owner, tenants, or others, may have created lead hazards since the original lead hazard clearance date.

For a current list of properties made “lead-safe” by the City of Providence’s program click here.

DOWN PAYMENT/CLOSING COST ASSISTANCE

Click here to view the 2019-2020 CDBG, HOME, HOPWA, ESG Budget. This document details the annual expenditure of federal dollars to support programs and projects to benefit low- and moderate-income Providence residents.

Click here for information about the forthcoming 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and the Citizen Participation Plan.

The Rhode Island Regional Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing was adopted by the State’s Office of Housing and Community Development and Rhode Island Housing on August 15, 2015. An update will be completed in 2020.

For more information on Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Programs, click here.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT

The City of Providence requests public comment from residents regarding the Citizen Participation Plan addendum and CARES Act Amendment.