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.
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
The Emergency Solutions 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.
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.
Home Repair Program
Due to high program demand, we are prioritizing emergency cases; there is a waitlist for non-emergencies. Please dial 401-680-8400 for more information.
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 3 years; loans for non-owner-occupied properties are forgivable after 5 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.
KEY DOCUMENTS:
Click here for the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and the Citizen Participation Plan.
An updated Regional Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing was completed in 2020.
Click here for the CDBG Manual.
Click here for the HOME Manual.
For more information on Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Programs, click here.
PUBLIC NOTICE
On July 12, 2022, the City of Providence Department of Planning & Development, Division of Housing & Community Development will hold a Public Hearing on the City’s 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan and an amendment to its Citizen Participation Plan.
Programs covered include:
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
- HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)
- Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA)
- Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
- HOME-ARP (Citizen Participation Plan only)
Public Comment Period and Process:
The 2022-2023 Action Plan and Citizen Participation Plan is available for public review and comment weekdays between the hours of 8:30am and 4:00pm at the Division of Housing of Community Development (444 Westminster Street, Suite 3A, Providence) or here. A statutory, 30-day public comment period will begin on June 14, 2022 and end on July 13, 2022.
Citizens wishing to submit written comments during the public review and comment period may mail them to:
City of Providence Department of Planning & Development
Attention: Emily Freedman, Director of Housing & Community Development Division
444 Westminster Street, Suite 3A
Providence, RI 02903
Opportunity for public comment is also available at the Virtual Public Hearing from 5-6PM on July 12, 2022. Hearing login: https://providenceri-gov.zoom.us/j/81256588384 or join by phone: +1 301 715 8592 or 877 853 5257 (Toll Free); Webinar ID: 812 5658 8384.
Amendment to Citizen Participation Plan:
The City has revised its Citizen Participation Plan to make changes related to the City’s anticipated receipt of HOME-ARP funds through the American Rescue Plan Act and development of an associated Allocation Plan for those funds. The revised Citizen Participation Plan is available for review here.
Este aviso es importante, si no lo entiende, por favor llame a Xiomara Gonsalves 401-640-8404 para recibir una explicación.
CITY OF PROVIDENCE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
2021 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORTS
Draft 2021 City of Providence Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER), which reports on the performance of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Programs is now available for public review and comment. The financial and programmatic report for Program Year 2021 (July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022) may be reviewed by clicking here.
The final version, along with any comments received, will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development by October 3, 2022. Comments and questions must be submitted in writing to Emily Freedman, Director, Community Development Division, 444 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903 or email at . Comments must be received no later than September 30, 2022.
CIUDAD de PROVIDENCE Aviso de Comentario Público 2021 Informe Anual Consolidado De Rendimiento Y Evaluación Borrador de los informes Anuales Consolidado de Rendimiento Y Evaluacion de la Ciudad de Providence (CAPER) 2021, que informa sobre el Rendimiento de Subsidio del Bloque para el Desarrollo de la Comunidad (CDBG), Programa de Sociedades de Inversion para Vivienda (HOME), Oportunidades de Vivienda para Personas con SIDA (HOPWA), y el programa de Subdidios para Soluciones de Emergencia (ESG) están disponible para revisión pública y comentarios. Estos informes financieros y programáticos para el Año del Programa 2021 (1 de Julio de 2021 – 30 de Junio de 2022) pueden ser revisados en la División de Desarrollo Comunitario, 444 Westminster Street, y aqui: LINK.
La versión finale, junto con los comentarios recibidos, se enviará al Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de EE.UU. (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) el 3 de Octubre de 2022. Comentarios y preguntas deben ser presentadas por escrito a Emily Freedman, Director, Division, Community Development, 444 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903 o por correo electrónico a . Comentarios deben ser recibidos a mas tardar el 30 de Septiembre de 2022.
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
