83 new homes open on Prov's west side

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Local lawmakers, major developments corporation and community organizations joined together on Providence's west side on Monday to celebrate a victory in neighborhood revitalization.

Governor Lincoln Chafee, Senators Jack Reed & Sheldon Whitehouse joined Omni Development Corporation and WinnDevelopment to celebrate the opening of 83 new homes on the capitol city's west side. The new homes were built on the sites of previously distressed and foreclosed properties.

“This is a great example of how federal, local, and private partners can work together to revitalize a neighborhood. I am pleased that over $3 million in federal funds helped spark this transformation. We are working to build a vibrant, walkable, family-friendly community,” said Senator Reed.

The new development has been named Phoenix Apartments, and it was created with sustainable, energy-conserving building techniques.

“These new affordable rental homes are a perfect example of turning a liability into an asset,” Governor Chafee said. “These formerly abandoned and foreclosed buildings – which previously were a risk to the community in terms of fire or vandalism – will now provide safe and affordable housing to Rhode Islanders in need."

The project was funded by a $21 million investment made by various organizations across the state, including Rhode Island Housing financing, HOME, LeadSafe Homes Program, Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) and the 2006 voter-supported housing bond, Building Homes Rhode Island (BHRI), Bank of American Merrill Lynch and Housing Credits.