Rhode Island organizations receive affordable housing grants

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Three Rhode Island-based organizations have been awarded grants to provide affordable housing and strengthen communities.

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat, announced nearly $725,000 in total for organizations affiliated with NeighborWorks America. He said the funding from NeighborWorks will be used to support their ongoing efforts to provide affordable housing, build strong neighborhoods and communities, create new jobs and stimulate the state’s economy.

NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley will receive about $285,000. ONE Neighborhood Builders will receive $225,000, and West Elmwood Housing Development Corp. will receive about $215,000.

Reed said he worked to secure nearly $160 million for NeighborWorks, a Congressionally-chartered nonprofit that supports a network of nonprofit organizations, in a fiscal year 2020 spending bill.

“These federal funds will help strengthen neighborhoods and offer creative solutions to help more Rhode Islanders afford quality housing,” Reed said in a statement.

Rhode Island organizations received nearly $1.1 million in NeighborWorks grant funding in fiscal 2019, Reed said.