Cicilline Announces $493,000 in Funding for Community Development in Rhode Island's First District

Press Release

U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-RI) today announced that Rhode Island's First District is receiving nearly $500,000 through NeighborWorks America to support affordable housing and revitalize local communities. NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley is receiving a grant of $331,000, while the West Elmwood Housing Development Corp. is receiving $162,000 in new funds.

"This new federal funding will provide critical resources to strengthen Rhode Island neighborhoods and build strong communities across our state," said Cicilline. "I was proud to work with my colleagues in the House to provide strong funding for NeighborWorks America in this year's appropriations bill. It's important that we continue to support effective programs like this one that have a proven record of delivering results for Rhode Island."

During the FY2016 appropriations process, Cicilline worked with colleagues to request $50 million in funding to support NeighborWorks America. The funding announced for Rhode Island today was appropriated by Congress through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016, which Cicilline also supported. NeighborWorks America supports more than 245 local and regional non-profit partner residents. Since it was established in 1978, NeighborWorks America has worked to advance affordable housing in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

"NeighborWorks America is proud to distribute these federal funds to organizations across the country to support their excellent work in communities. The NeighborWorks network organizations provide affordable housing opportunities, build strong neighborhoods, and create jobs. We at NeighborWorks America focus on being careful stewards of the resources the taxpayers have entrusted to us," said NeighborWorks America's President and CEO Paul Weech. "A strong indicator of the value of these grants is that in FY 2015, the NeighborWorks America network leveraged $50 dollars of other investments for every $1 in federal appropriation -- resulting in a direct investment of $6.7 billion in communities last fiscal year. NeighborWorks' investments are working to truly make a difference in communities across the country."

In FY 2015, NeighborWorks and the NeighborWorks network assisted over 355,900 families, including:

21,700 homeowners created
15,400 quality, affordable rental homes developed
15,700 affordable homes preserved
63,300 homes repaired
142,600 quality, affordable rental homes owned and/or managed
110,400 families and individuals counseled on financial capacity, pre-purchase, post-purchase, or foreclosure issues, and
20,500 training certificates issued

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