As part of its Citizen Participation efforts, the City of East Providence mailed a survey of household and neighborhood needs to over 2,000 residents of assisted family developments and elderly housing and sent the survey home with elementary school children in the low and moderate income (LMI) neighborhoods. Results were added to the results of a senior citizens survey undertaken a year ago, in which 760 households responded.
The City's non-housing community development strategic plan is developed by
reference to existing planning documents which are official City policy.
According to the 1990 Census the population is 50,380, a decrease of 1.2% since 1980. Demographic details show that it is 19% are elderly; 8% are minority; 21% of all families with children are single-parent headed; 28% of all households are persons living alone. Median family income is $37,634; median renter income is $25,404.
There has been a slight decline in housing costs during 1990-1994 and a small increase is unemployment rates in the City. East Providence is a nearly built-out community, with 20,808 housing units. 73% of the housing units were built prior to 1970 and the vast majority are in good physical condition. Single family units account for 56% of the units, 43 % are multi- family and I% are condominiums or mobile homes. 58% are owner occupied, 38% are renter occupied and 4% of the units were vacant in 1990. 1989 was the peak year for the median cost of a single family home, tripling in price from 1978 ($39,000 to $118,000). There has been an 8% decrease in costs from 1989-1993.
The City has 450 public housing units (400 elderly and 50 family units) which are in good physical condition. 73% of the family households are single-parent headed. The City has 253 Section 8 Certificates or Vouchers. There are 1,297 units in privately subsidized housing, 397 are family units and 900 are elderly. Proposed federal changes in the State mortgage finance agency's subsidized housing developments may allow the units to become market rate housing, affecting 1,032 lower income households in the City.
There is a transitional housing program in East Providence available to homeless or near homeless families. It served 124 families from the four East Bay communities during 1994. The CAP agency, Self Help, Inc. served 2,786 residents through the Emergency Food Program, 45 residents through the Emergency Shelter Voucher Program, 109 residents through the Emergency Housing Assistance Program and 972 residents through the Heating Assistance Program in 1994.
Forty-five percent (8,898 households) of all households have incomes below 80% of MFI; 2,609 households (13% of total households have incomes under 30% MFI. The East Providence Housing Authority had a waiting list of 265 households in November, 1994. The Section 8 programs had a waiting list of 147 households. No new Section 8 vouchers or certificates are anticipated in the near future. Thirty-four percent of all homeowner households have incomes below 80% MFI. 62% (31198 households) of all households in the 0-50% MFI are elderly households. Self Help, Inc. estimates that 30% of the 500 seniors serviced through the Senior Services Program should not be living alone due to frailty or mental health issues. Other special needs groups, including mentally ill, need affordable housing opportunities. Greatest housing needs arc for lowest income (0-50% MFI), small family renter households and lowest income elderly households. Lowest income homeowners (a total of 1,959 households with incomes 0-50% MFI) also have housing needs as their cost burden is often over 30% of income. 42% (3,322 households) of all renter households earn 50% of median income. An income gap exists for median income homebuyers as mortgage interest rates increase over 7.5 percent.
The City will target resources for infrastructure and public facility
improvements, rental housing rehabilitation programs and recreational
improvements to CDBG eligible LMI areas. Two of these areas correspond with the
City's State Enterprise Zone program and are the focus of business expansion
programs. The areas of concern identified for focus over the next five years
are meeting the needs of the senior population and promoting independent living;
the need for youth programming among the preschool and school age groups, the
need for affordable and accessible health care for all residents and the need to
promote economic development and job creation.
Objectives:
(2) Provide households with rental assistance in order to occupy private rate rental units while paying an affordable amount.
(3) Stretch the budget of low income renter households by providing low cost sliding fee/ no cost household necessities including food, utility payments and health care.
(4) Preserve the existing subsidized rental stock which is at risk of being lost due to prepayment options.
(5) Support the development of new rental housing with a commitment to affordability over time.
(6) Continue a dialogue with the Housing Authority on their program changes and the possibility of expanding their rental housing holdings.
Objectives:
(2) Provide financial support or necessary items to elderly low income homeowners in order to maintain their tenancy and independence.
(3) Assist non-elderly low and moderate income homeowners with home repairs and maintenance items.
(4) Encourage Home ownership for the first time homebuyer in order to stabilize neighborhoods and provide households with affordable permanent shelter.
Objectives:
(2) Provide housing for households which fall into the category of special needs households, which cannot compete in the private market due to limited incomes and physical or mental disabilities.
Objectives:
(2) Identify impediments to Fair Housing and conduct a review of resident access to credit and mortgage.
The City will direct the use of the Community Development Block Grants towards activities which meet federal purposes and are consistent with the policy documents and with needs identified through the Citizen Participation Plan process. The following identifies the objectives which address the High Priority Needs:
Senior Centers
Objective: Meet the nutritional, social and recreational needs of seniors living independently.
Youth Centers
Objective: Support/establish facilities for youth programming which are accessible and provide programming for at-risk youth populations.
Senior Services
Objective: Meet the financial, social and environmental needs of the senior population.
Youth Services
Objective: Provide programs for youth which allow them to reach their full potential and guide them toward appropriate social and recreational activities.
Employment Training
Objective: Provide training programs and re-training programs which graduate employees with usable skills in fields with employment opportunities.
Health Services
Objective: Provide quality, accessible and affordable medical services for all residents.
Literacy
Objective: Provide literacy and GED tutoring to adults which is necessary for basic life skills and can lead to job advancement.
Social Services
Objective: Provide appropriate social services to families in need of assistance in order to improve their economic or social circumstances.
Commercial-industrial Rehabilitation
Objective: To support and create programs which facilitate the rehabilitation of industrial and commercial facilities due to the stabilizing effect such investment has on the neighborhoods and the job opportunities created.
Micro-business
Objective: To increase employment opportunities by increasing the number of successful small businesses in the City.
Technical assistance
Objective: Provide business with technical assistance in order to support economic development.
Lead-based Paint Hazards
Objective: Address lead paint hazards in the residential environment.
| CDBG FUNDS AVAILABLE: | $ 842,000 |
| CDBG PROGRAM INCOME AVAILABLE: | 240,000 |
| HOME FUNDS AVAILABLE: | 150,000 |
| TOTAL AVAILABLE: | $1,232,000 |
|---|
The following projects and programs, in categories, are proposed for the 1995-96 program year, August 1, 1995 through July 31, 1996:
| AMOUNT | % OF TOTAL | |
|---|---|---|
| PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS Street Improvements, Tree Planting, Sidewalk Improvements | $ 165,000 | 13.4% |
| PUBLIC FACILITIES Child Care/Job Training Facility, Carousel Renovations | $ 90,000 | 7.3% |
| PUBLIC SERVICES Youth Programs ($52,000) Senior Programs ($29,000) Health/Special Needs Programs ($81,000) | $ 162,000 | 13.2% |
| ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Job Training Programs, Microloan Program | $ 90,000 | 7.3% |
| HOUSING
Home Rehabilitation Program, Rental Rehabilitation Program, Lead Safe Program | $ 520,000 | 42.2% |
| PLANNING Senior Center Development | $ 100,000 | 8.1% |
| ADMINISTRATION | $ 105,000 | 8.5% |
| TOTAL: | $ 1,232,000 |
OTHER ACTIONS: The City will continue to support the East Bay Coalition for the Homeless Program which provides services to homeless and near homeless residents. The City will conduct a study of impediments to fair housing in the next eighteen months. The City will continue to maintain the network of communication between social service and housing providers in order to remain cognizant of each others priorities and objectives. The East Providence Housing Authority will continue to administer the Section 8 programs, renovation activities at Goldsmith Manor, the Family Self Sufficiency Program and the Senior Case Worker Program.
MAP 2 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.
MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority concentration levels.
MAP 4 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and unemployment levels.
MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.
MAP 6 depicts Neighborhood Segments and streets with proposed HUD funded projects.
TABLE (without associated map) provides information about the project(s).
Ms. Nancy Remington
PH: (401) 435-7535
