Housing Network of Rhode Island

Today, HousingWorks RI at RWU released their 2024 Housing Fact Book, which paints an annual picture of RI’s housing affordability challenges, by the numbers. We appreciate the hard work of the team at HousingWorks RI to deliver this invaluable data. According to this year’s Housing Fact Book: 🏡 There is not a single municipality in Rhode Island where a household earning the median homeowner income of $107,452 can affordably buy a home. 🏡 Renting the average 2-bedroom apartment would require an income of more than $84,000 to affordably rent. This exceeds the state’s median renter income by nearly $40,000. 🏡 More than a third of Rhode Island households (143,023) spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing costs, making them housing cost burdened. We know there’s much more work to be done to tackle RI’s housing crisis, and remain committed to advocating for policies and programs that ensure every Rhode Islander has access to a safe, healthy and affordable home in the community of their choice. To that end, we encourage eligible voters to vote yes on question 3, which will help create much-needed homes across Rhode Island. Read the statement from HNRI executive director Melina Lodge on the 2024 Fact Book findings: https://lnkd.in/gncd7fr6

That's a wrap on voter outreach this week with House of Hope Community Development Corporation and Shower to Empower! Thanks for partnering with us this week to support #OurHomesOurVotes2024 and help ensure that every eligible voter has access to the ballot, regardless of their housing status. On Tuesday, we were joined by National Low Income Housing Coalition president and CEO Diane Yentel and OHOV project manager Courtney Cooperman. NLIHC is spearheading the OHOV campaign to engage low income renters, people who are unhoused, and housing advocates to vote. We are grateful to NLIHC for their leadership to promote civic engagement in Rhode Island and across the country! 🚨 REMINDER: The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 5 election is October 6! Be sure you're #VoteReady by visiting ourhomes.turbovote.org

Today is the day! Join us at 2:30 p.m. at West Elmwood Housing Development Corp as we officially launch #OurHomesOurVotes, a nonpartisan campaign to engage renters and housing advocates to vote! Let's break down barriers to engagement and celebrate with some ice cream! Hear from Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore, National Low Income Housing Coalition president and CEO Diane Yentel, and our friends at West Elmwood Housing Development Corp about why your vote matters! Location: 70 Westfield St., Providence, RI *There will be a voter registration event and ice cream truck in the parking area following the speaking portion, which will take place in the Sankofa Community Room.

Our members are hiring in Rhode Island! 💼 Crossroads Rhode Island is hiring for several positions: https://lnkd.in/gfCmPhQM 🏗 Habitat for Humanity of Greater Providence and East Bay is hiring a Construction Site Supervisor (Saturdays): https://lnkd.in/eyzET76i 🏡 House of Hope Community Development Corporation is hiring a Case Manager - Housing Stabilization: https://lnkd.in/euEjn_py 👷♀️ One Neighborhood Builders is hiring for several positions: https://lnkd.in/gEfFZwD9 🌱 West Elmwood Housing Development Corp is hiring for several positions: https://lnkd.in/eqhcuhJ9 🏘 Women's Development Corporation has two open positions: https://lnkd.in/eF945p8H

We had a lovely time catching up with members and partners at last night's Housing Network Mix & Mingle at Iggy's! What a great way to close-out the summer. 🏖

For New England communities strapped for housing supply, data from the NZA and partner HousingWorks RI at RWU suggests large minimum lot sizes are a policy choice worth renegotiating: In Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire, data derived from completed state zoning atlases reveal minimum lot size requirements skew 1 acre or larger. What does this mean for the state of housing at large? A new story reported by The Public's Radio 89.3 FM delves into the consequences of limiting housing development on large swaths of land: https://lnkd.in/dt8AuuRu “It's not to say that all of a particular town has to look like an urban center. But where is it more appropriate? Where are you able to up-zone to accommodate some growth? At some point the people who live there now are going to be gone. And how have you attracted new and young people into a space to create some continued vibrancy is something I think we have to contemplate,” says Melina Lodge, executive director of Housing Network of Rhode Island.

How does large-lot zoning contribute to Rhode Island’s big housing shortfall? Hear from our executive director Melina Lodge, South County Habitat for Humanity's Colin Penney and Women's Development Corporation's Frank Shea in this piece by The Public's Radio 89.3FM: https://lnkd.in/dt8AuuRu

Homes RI is excited to share our 2024 Legislative Wrap Up, reflecting on the progress R.I. made this legislative session to address our state's housing crisis. The policies passed and provisions included in next year's budget will help ensure R.I. is a state where everyone has access to a safe, stable and affordable place to call home. Thank you to our partners in advocacy, and to our elected officials for making these wins possible! READ THE FULL REPORT: https://lnkd.in/ga7niy7E ***Homes RI is a multi-sector coalition working together to increase and preserve the supply of safe, healthy and affordable homes throughout Rhode Island. The Housing Network of Rhode Island is the backbone organization for Homes RI, providing the staffing, fiscal management, and organizational base for the effort.***

"I commend Gov. McKee for appointing Daniel Connors as interim Housing Secretary. His leadership will ensure stability and minimal disruption as we work with the State to address Rhode Island’s housing challenges. Welcome, Dan!" - Housing Network of Rhode Island's Executive Director, Melina Lodge. Read the full statement: https://lnkd.in/ekw9MTtv

We extend our very best wishes to Jennifer Hawkins as she departs from her role as the President & CEO of ONE Neighborhood Builders. Jen's vision, commitment and leadership have had significant impact within the field of community development and Rhode Island's housing sector, and her contributions and expertise will be missed within the Network.