WASHINGTON DC – In an effort to strengthen affordable housing options for more Rhode Islanders, U.S. Senator Jack Reed today announced that twenty-four Rhode Island cities and towns will receive a total of $26,945,248 in federal funding through the Public Housing Capital Fund.  Senator Reed led efforts at the federal level to make this money available to support the development, financing, and modernization of public housing projects and for management improvements.

Administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), this fiscal year 2024 Public Housing Capital Fund money will help local communities preserve, develop, finance, and modernize public housing and ensure housing authorities have the resources needed to connect residents to an array of programs.

“Public housing offers an affordable housing options for many low-income families.  This new federal funding will improve housing conditions for vulnerable residents and help increase the supply of and quality of affordable housing.  It will help local housing agencies improve the condition of their buildings, preserve affordable housing, and help us build stronger neighborhoods and communities,” said Senator Reed, a senior member of both the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, which authorizes the program, and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD), which appropriates money for it.  “This funding will be put to work making capital repairs, maintaining public assets, and ensuring quality, affordable housing is available.  It means local housing authorities can address their most pressing needs and will help hire additional maintenance staff and contractors.”

The average cost to rent a two-bedroom apartment in Rhode Island has increased 23 percent over the past decade, totaling $1,887 in 2023, according to RIHousing’s latest survey.

The Public Housing Capital Fund Program provides local housing authorities with funding for the modernization of public housing and ongoing maintenance needs.  Local agencies can use the funding for a broad array of improvements that may include redesigning, reconstructing, and reconfiguring public housing sites and buildings; addressing safety code compliance needs; replacing obsolete utility systems and dwelling equipment; and investing in resident programs that help improve economic empowerment.

Through his work on the THUD Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Reed helped include $3.41 billion for the Public Housing Capital Fund in the 2024 appropriations law. 

According to HUD, Rhode Island has approximately 9,000 public housing units across the state.

Public Housing Agencies in the following cities and towns will receive funding:

Bristol: $464,384

Burrillville: $238,129

Central Falls: $872,093

Coventry: $452,117

Cranston: $1,468,016

Cumberland: $344,318

East Greenwich: $92,129

East Providence: $1,115,556

Jamestown: $72,459

Johnston: $367,536

Lincoln: $661,047

Providence: $8,446,373

Pawtucket: $2,522,677

Narragansett: $29,002

Newport: $2,357,943

North Providence: $300,101

Smithfield: $145,938

South Kingstown: $267,835

Tiverton: $116,669

Warren: $350,687

Warwick: $1,209,460

Westerly: $326,169

West Warwick: $585,752

Woonsocket: $4,138,858

TOTAL: $26,945,248