Carol A. Ventura

The State of Rhode Island's Annual Action Plan serves as an application to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for funding various programs, including the Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, National Housing Trust Fund Program, and Emergency Solutions Grant Program. This plan outlines progress and new initiatives in support of the strategic goals identified in the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan. The primary objectives include increasing and preserving affordable housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income households, ending homelessness, adapting aged housing, eliminating lead hazards, making infrastructure improvements, and investing in public services and facilities, including transitional and permanent supportive housing. Expected outcomes for the program year 2026 include the construction or rehabilitation of 50 rental units, the addition or rehabilitation of 85 homeowner units, assistance to approximately 2,000 persons through homeless shelters, and an enhanced focus on healthy homes and non-housing community development.

This plan details RIHousing's Healthy Housing, Healthy Communities (H3C) initiative, which aims to integrate healthcare and housing to address affordability and health disparities in Rhode Island. It outlines strategic efforts to enhance partnerships between housing and healthcare sectors, expand affordable supportive housing for vulnerable populations, and leverage Health Equity Zones for equitable resource distribution. Key strategies include building capacity for supportive services, utilizing specific funding programs, and exploring innovative Low Income Housing Tax Credit and Qualified Allocation Plan strategies. The overall vision is to expand access to new and rehabilitated affordable supportive housing units, fostering improved health outcomes and housing stability in historically underserved communities.

This Health and Housing Toolkit, developed by the Corporation for Supportive Housing in partnership with RI Housing, provides a comprehensive framework for integrating the health and housing sectors in Rhode Island. It outlines four stages of partnership development: Making the Case, Making it Happen, Making it Work, and Making it Last. The toolkit aims to foster collaboration, educate stakeholders on respective goals and priorities, and establish a shared language to prevent and respond to homelessness and housing instability, improve health outcomes, and promote equity across the state.

This strategic plan outlines RIHousing's roadmap to enhance housing opportunities for Rhode Islanders. It is built upon five core goals: increasing housing production for low- and middle-income residents, expanding partnerships for affordable home creation and preservation, driving innovation and accessibility in housing development and services, transparently communicating its role, and maintaining its status as a flexible, high-performing housing finance agency. The plan aims to transform communities through greater housing access and opportunity.

This document presents RIHousing's Annual Public Housing Authority (PHA) Plan and proposed amendments to its Administrative Plan for approval. As a PHA, RIHousing administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV), and its Annual Plan outlines strategic goals to meet housing needs, expand assisted housing, promote family self-sufficiency, and ensure equal housing opportunity. The amendments to the Administrative Plan, which governs HCV program operations and local policies, are designed to optimize program administration following public consultation.