programs

Informing our government leaders about the importance of the work of our members is one of the primary functions of the Housing Network .That work takes place on several levels.

We continue to sponsor training and technical assistance opportunities in conjunction with LISC and Rhode Island Housing. This past year Housing Network lunch and learn sessions focused on changes to the fire and building codes, the lead legislation and affordable housing land trusts.

The Capacity Building Initiative entered its eleventh year of providing operating support to six member organizations picked through a competitive process. The current recipients include the Blackstone Valley Community Action Program (BVCAP), Habitat for Humanity of South County (HSC), the Providence Preservation Society Revolving Fund (PPSRF), Realty Endeavors for Affordable Community Housing (REACH), the Smith Hill Community Development Corporation and the Westbay Community Action Program (WBCAP).

Since the Network's formation in 1992, we have worked with our members to support their efforts to provide homeownership education and counseling to low-moderate income Rhode Islanders. This support includes: training for members' staff; curriculum development; data collection; class scheduling; marketing and outreach; and fundraising. Our mutual goal is to increase the homeownership rate among minorities and low-moderate income Rhode Islanders across the state, but especially in the neighborhoods in which members focus their revitalization efforts.

The Homeownership Connection offers a range of pre- and post-closing programs including:

• Homebuyer education
• Counseling
• Home repair and maintenance
• Landlord training
• Lead law informational training
• Financial Fundamentals
• Foreclosure prevention
• Predatory lending prevention and awareness campaign Hyperlink to Don't Borrow Trouble

In November 2004, the Housing Network incorporated a state-wide land trust to coordinate and support the efforts of members and others to provide permanently affordable housing options in communities across Rhode Island. The state-wide land trust will work with local partners to standardize paperwork and streamline administrative procedures. The state-wide land trust is an important tool to counteract gentrification and escalating land values in Rhode Island.