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: Draft HOME-ARP Allocation Plan – Available for Public Review
March 14 – March 29, 2023
HOME-ARP – Public Hearing: March 28, 2023 – 5-6pm
The draft of the City of Providence’s HOME-American Rescue Plan Act (“HOME-ARP”) Allocation Plan is now available for public review and comment at:
City of Providence HOME-ARP Allocation Plan DRAFT (March 2023)
The Allocation Plan will be available online for public review and comment from Tuesday, March 14 through Wednesday, March 29, 2023. A physical copy of the Allocation Plan can be obtained weekdays between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm at the Division of Housing of Community Development (444 Westminster Street, Suite 3A, Providence).
Those 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
OR via email to: efreedman@providenceri.gov
The City was awarded $5,930,420 in one-time HOME-ARP funds. The current draft Allocation Plan recommends the City use those funds to build affordable housing and provide supportive services to qualifying populations. This HUD-required draft Allocation Plan serves as a strategic plan, identifying housing and service needs of HOME-ARP qualifying populations, and outlining potential strategies to reduce homelessness and increase housing stability.
Prior to submission of the draft Allocation Plan, the City will hold a hybrid public hearing from 5-6pm on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. The hearing can be joined either in person (in the 1st Floor Conference Room of 444 Westminster Street) or online via Zoom: https://providenceri-gov.zoom.us/j/87290846666 or join by phone: +1 646 876 9923 or 877 853 5257 (Toll Free); Webinar ID: 872 9084 6666
In accordance with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations to participate in this hearing will be accommodated and should contact 401-680-8400 (TTY 401-680-5220) at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting date. Translation and/or interpretation services are available upon request.
Por favor, para solicitar servicios de traducción, llame a Xiomara Gonsalves al 401-680-8404 al menos 48 horas antes de la fecha de la reunión programada. To request translation services, please call Xiomara Gonsalves 401-680-8404 at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting date.
NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY
The City of Providence will begin accepting applications for Program Year 2023 (7/1/2023-6/30/2024) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), and Housing Opportunities for Persons Living with AIDS (HOPWA) funding starting February 1, 2023. Approximately $4.32 million in CDBG, $1,000,000 in HOME, and $1,000,000 in HOPWA is estimated to be available for this round, pending receipt of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding agreements for 2023.
All applications for Housing, HOPWA, Public Facilities, Economic Development, and Public Service grants under these programs must be received by the City of Providence through its online grants management system (http://grants.providenceri.com) by 11:59 PM on March 3, 2023.
Submitted applications will be evaluated based on the criteria described in the Notice of Funding Availability that can be found here.
Potential applicants wishing to learn more about applying for CDBG and the other HUD funding opportunities are invited to view our Application Workshop & Information Session which we held on February 10, 2023. The session includes an overview of the funding opportunity and application process and provided opportunity for question/answer and public comment. Applicants are encouraged to view the recording (passcode: 8?Yha^3+) and/or the slide deck.
Translation services & other accommodations are available upon request. Please contact 401-680-8400 or email xgonsalves@providenceri.gov 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
