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:
- Development/Support of Affordable Rental Housing
- Development of Affordable Homeownership Housing
- Tenant-Based Rental Assistance
- Assistance to Homeowners for Down Payment or Repair Assistance
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:
- Renovation, rehabilitation, and conversion of buildings for use as emergency shelters or transitional housing for homeless people
- Essential services
- Operating costs such as maintenance, insurance, rent, etc.
- Homeless prevention
- Administration
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:
- Housing information services
- Resource identification
- Acquisition, rehabilitation, conversion, lease and repair
- New construction (single room occupancy and community residences only)
- Project- or tenant-based rental assistance
- Short-term rent, mortgage, and utility payments
- Supportive services
- Operating costs
- Technical assistance
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.
- Must be owner-occupied.
- A 0% interest loan for up to $25,000!
- No monthly payments.
*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.
- CDBG Home Repair Program Flyer – English
- CDBG Home Repair Program Flyer – Spanish
- CDBG Home Repair Policies
- CDBG Home Repair Procedures
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.
- LSPP is not a remodeling program.
- LSPP is required to treat all lead hazards identified at the property.
- Lead specified treatments will be required to make all damaged surfaces intact and/or friction-free.
- Only RI DOH certified program lead contractors can participate in the LSPP.
- Property owners will be required to approve property treatment lead specifications.
- Any cost for non-lead related up-grade treatments will be the responsibility of the property owner and must be paid in advance.
- Property owners are required to sign off on completed work and contractor payment requisitions.
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
- Administered through the Housing Network of Rhode Island.
- Use deferred payment loan to cover down-payment or closing costs.
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.
An updated Regional Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing was completed in 2020.
For more information on Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Programs, click here.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT
On November 4, 2020 City of Providence Department of Planning & Development, Division of Community Development will hold a virtual Public Hearing prior to revisions to, and submission of, the City’s 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan. Programs covered by this Plan include: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG); HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME); Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA); & Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG).
A copy of the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan is available. Click here for the document.
A statutory, 5-day public comment period on the document will begin on October 31, 2020 and end on November 5, 2020.
The public is encouraged to submit written comments or questions regarding the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan to Emily Freedman, Director of Community Development, at the Division of Community Development, 444 Westminster Street, Suite 3A, Providence, RI 02903, or via email at . The City of Providence will consider all comments received by November 5, 2020, make any revisions as appropriate, and submit the document to the U.S. Dept. of HUD.
Interested persons are invited to join the digital Public Hearing from 5:00 – 6:00 pm on Wednesday, November 4, 2020.
Please click this URL to join. https://providenceri-gov.zoom.us/j/94712418118
Or join by phone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 408 638 0968 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or 877 853 5257 (Toll Free) or 888 475 4499 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 947 1241 8118
Translation services are available upon request. Please contact 401-680-8400 at least 48 hours in advance to request such services.
Este aviso es importante, si no lo entiende, por favor llame a Xiomara Gonsalves 401-680-8400 para recibir una explicación.
Sign Up for News
If you are interested in receiving general news and updates from the Community Development office (including announcements of Funding Opportunities) please sign up using the link below:
If you currently have an open/pending grant or interest in any of the following grant programs, please sign up for the appropriate email list:
below:
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
- Affordable Housing/HOME
- Housing for Persons with Aids (HOPWA)
- Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG)
CONTACT US
Director of Housing & Community Development
Emily Freedman
Address:
Joseph A Doorley, Jr. Municipal Building
444 Westminster Street, Suite 3a
Providence RI 02903
Directions
Hours of Operation:
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Summer Hours)
Fax Number: 401.680.8492
