Governor Dan McKee and Secretary of Housing Deborah Goddard on Tuesday announced more than $8 million in bond-funded awards to accelerate housing production across Rhode Island through two programs under the state’s Housing 2030 plan.
The larger of the two programs, the Housing 2030 Infrastructure Program, awarded approximately $7.63 million across eight projects to fund infrastructure improvements tied to new housing developments. The program drew significant demand, with 22 proposals requesting more than $55.8 million combined.
The eight funded projects are Champagne Heights in South Kingstown, $2,917,900; Sprague/Bristol Ferry in Portsmouth, $1,167,592; Ann & Hope in Cumberland, $950,000; Hickory Knoll in Westerly, $750,000; Washington Highway Apartments in Lincoln, $650,000; 55 Pine in Providence, $543,510; Pound Hill Estates/The Pines in North Smithfield, $517,080; and The Post II in Providence, $132,000.
Together, those projects will support the development of 665 housing units, including 238 affordable homes.
The second program, the Housing 2030 Municipal Infrastructure Design Initiative, awarded $643,620 to two projects to cover early-stage planning and design costs. The Tri-Town Housing Development Opportunity in Coventry received $543,620 and the South Road Approved Housing Project in South Kingstown received $100,000.
“These investments represent another important step forward in our commitment to expanding housing opportunities for Rhode Islanders,” McKee said. “By supporting both early-stage planning and critical infrastructure, we are helping communities move projects from concept to construction.”
Randy Rossi, executive director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, said infrastructure constraints including water and sewer capacity, flooding concerns and traffic are among the barriers communities face in getting new housing approved and built.
More information on the Housing 2030 plan is available at housing.ri.gov.
