Warwick, Rhode Island, is on the western shore of Narragansett Bay, just south of Providence, the State's capital and largest city. Warwick is the largest community in Kent County and has a population of about 85,000.

The area was settled in the first half of the 1600s on land purchased from the Narragansett Indians. Rhode Island was the first American colony to declare its independence from the British. In the 1800s a booming textile industry attracted heavy immigration from Europe. Most of Warwick's growth occurred after World War II as the population moved out of Providence to new homes in suburban developments.

Action Plan

In its Consolidated Plan, Warwick describes its housing and community development needs and priorities, and a 5-year strategy for addressing these needs using Federal and other resources. For the first year of the plan, Warwick is requesting $878,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. This money will be used to finance 21 housing, community development, and service activities planned for Fiscal Year 1995.

Citizen Participation

Citizen participation in the development of the Consolidated Plan began with a public hearing on October 25, 1994, at City Hall. The hearing was held to obtain the views of interested citizens on the city's housing and community development needs. It was advertised in The Warwick Beacon and The Providence Journal.

A second public hearing on April 6, 1995, focused on community development efforts proposed for the Consolidated Plan. The announcement was published in The Providence Journal and The Warwick Beacon and contained a summary explanation of the proposed plan.

Copies of the proposed plan were available at the local library and the Warwick Community Development Office during a 30-day public review and comment period.

In 1990 Warwick had a population of 85,427. The city has a vibrant and diverse economy, including major regional and local retailers, manufacturers, and office users. As the site of Rhode Island's major airport, it provides space for related facilities such as hotels, motels, and restaurants. Like the rest of New England and the State, however, Warwick is experiencing the problems associated with the recovery from a recession, the shift from a manufacturing to a service economy, and the reduction in defense spending.

Of the 33,352 households in Warwick, 37 percent have annual incomes of 80 percent or less of median family income (MFI). An analysis of census data indicates the following income levels:

• Extremely low (0-30 percent of MFI) -- 9 percent, 3,029 households.
• Very low (31-50 percent of MFI) -- 11 percent, 3,640 households.
• Low (51-80 percent of MFI) -- 17 percent, 5,701 households.
• Moderate (81-95 percent of MFI) -- 8 percent, 2,764 households.

Housing Needs

Existing housing must be rehabilitated to preserve the current stock and to convert dilapidated or substandard housing into safe, decent, and affordable housing for low-income residents. There is also a need for rental assistance programs for low-income households and homebuyer assistance programs for low- and moderate-income families.

Housing Market Conditions

Warwick has 35,141 year-round housing units, according to the 1990 census. Of the 33,367 occupied units, 8,556 (24 percent) were renter-occupied and 24,811 (71 percent) were owner-occupied. About 5 percent of the units were vacant. Since Warwick's housing is primarily owner-occupied, the overall vacancy rate seems to indicate a certain amount of looseness in the housing market.

The median home value in Warwick has increased 188 percent in the past decade, from $40,400 to $116,000. This increase parallels that of the State and county housing markets.

During the same period, median contract rent rose by 80 percent, from $283 to $511. Rent increases in the county (from $199 to $464 -- 135 percent) and statewide (from $186 to $416 -- 124 percent) were much higher than in Warwick.

Affordable Housing Needs

An analysis demonstrates that housing has become less affordable in the city as housing prices rise faster than incomes. The gap between median income and median rent in 1990 was $7,472, an increase of 56 percent in 10 years.

Of Warwick's 3,029 extremely low-income households, 73 percent are cost-burdened (those households that pay more than 30 percent of their income on housing) and 49 percent are severely cost-burdened (those households that pay more than 50 percent of their income on housing). Of the 3,640 very low-income households, 52 percent are cost-burdened and 24 percent are severely cost-burdened. Among low-income households, 39 percent are cost- burdened and 8 percent are severely cost-burdened.

Homeless Needs

There is general agreement that Warwick's unsheltered homeless population is small, although it is difficult to get an exact count due to the transient nature of this group and a lack of coordination among service providers. The existing shelters are usually at capacity and shelter managers say they could use additional space.

There are an estimated 63 homeless persons in Warwick. This includes 59 persons in 50 families with children, and 4 youths (age 17 or younger) not in families. All are being served by emergency shelters or transitional housing.

Subpopulations of the homeless with special needs are as follows:

• 2 (3.2 percent) -- Severe mental illness only.
• 11 (17.5 percent) -- Alcohol/other drug abuse only.
• 1 (1.6 percent) -- Severe mental illness and alcohol/other drug abuse.
• 19 (30.2 percent) -- Domestic violence.
• 28 (44.4 percent) -- Unable to pay rent.

In Warwick, the vast majority of people in shelters are women with children. Many are victims of domestic violence who require secure housing. There is a need for more transitional housing and more opportunities for permanent housing. The women may also need education and job training.

Public and Assisted Housing Needs

The Warwick Housing Authority (WHA) owns 419 housing units for the elderly or disabled in 7 projects and 36 family units at scattered sites throughout the city. The WHA also administers a Section 8 rental assistance program that provides 349 certificates and vouchers for families to use to rent private units.

There are 1,121 privately owned units of elderly housing that are subsidized with Section 8 certificates and vouchers.

Barriers to Affordable Housing

During the past 30 years, the city has encouraged the building of private and publicly owned subsidized units for the elderly and scattered single-family dwellings for low-income families.

The Permanent Task Force on Affordable Housing was established to encourage greater cooperation among the entities that provide housing services and to implement the strategies recommended in previous studies.

With the cutbacks in housing programs at the Federal and State levels, there is a tremendous need for housing subsidies in the city. The lack of additional subsidies is an impediment because it keeps those in need from securing affordable housing.

Affordability remains the highest barrier to housing. For some rental properties, the debt loads carried by landlords who paid inflated prices in the late 1980s have forced them to charge higher rents or abandon their interest in the properties. Most low- and moderate- income families cannot afford the substantial downpayment required to buy a home.

Fair Housing

A recent analysis completed by the city found no significant impediments to fair housing.

Lead-Based Paint

The primary environmental concern involving Warwick's housing stock is the presence of lead-based paint. Based on the age of the housing, it is estimated that 8,063 housing units considered affordable to low- and moderate-income households may have lead-based paint hazards.

Other Issues

There are also housing and supportive needs for the elderly, mentally disabled, mentally ill, physically disabled, substance abusers, and victims of domestic violence. While they have similar needs for affordable and accessible housing, each group requires a differing array of supportive services.

Community Development Needs

The Department of Public Works monitors infrastructure needs such as sewer and water lines, streets and sidewalks, and parks and recreation facilities. Because of prudent financial management and the charging of appropriate user fees, infrastructure needs are being met without relying on Federal funding.

There is, however, a need for additional community development activity in certain neighborhoods with high concentrations of low- and moderate-income households. In the past, the city has allocated CDBG funds to community-based organizations in these neighborhoods. Some of these organizations have hired consultants to help them identify high-priority community development needs and design improvement projects to address those needs. These plans are currently being developed.

The city has historically left economic development up to the private sector. However, the Warwick Economic Development Commission is currently working on a strategic economic development plan for the city. When it is completed, the city will consider whether to increase its role in the field of economic development.

Housing Priorities

Priorities for affordable housing in Warwick's 5-year strategic plan are:

• Rehabilitation of existing housing stock. This is an effective way to meet the affordable housing needs of low- and moderate-income families. In older neighborhoods throughout the city, many structures are in need of rehabilitation.
• Homeowner assistance for acquisition. The Cranston Community Action Program has secured two properties in Warwick and placed options on six others. These will be rehabilitated and resold with downpayment and closing cost assistance to families eligible for financing from the Rhode Island Mortgage Finance Corporation.
• Rental assistance. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Family Self-Sufficiency Program allows persons with children who are living in subsidized housing to further their education or obtain job training. The program provides subsidized child care while the parent is in class or job training. The WHA is in the process of obtaining eight additional vouchers for this program. There are currently about 200 people on the waiting list for this program.

For homelessness, the city's strategy includes:

• Supporting organizations that deal with the causes of homelessness.
• Supporting non-profit organizations that operate emergency shelters and transitional housing facilities.
• Helping to fill the gaps of organizations that assist the homeless.

Non-housing Community Development Priorities

Because of the city's demographic makeup, most of its infrastructure and economic development needs are in areas that are ineligible for CDBG funding. The city's strategy in using CDBG funds is to support a citizen-based planning process in neighborhoods with high proportions of low- and moderate-income residents. When these neighborhoods complete their master plans, the city will provide CDBG funds to implement the priority projects.

The city is also looking for ways to encourage economic development in the community, perhaps through the use of CDBG funds to leverage private investment.

Anti-poverty Strategy

The city feels that the most effective anti-poverty strategy involves the private sector. For its part, the city will assist low- and moderate-income persons by providing appropriate training and education.

Housing and Community Development Resources

Because of a weak economic climate, Warwick has limited financial resources to devote to housing and community development projects. The only funds available for the next 5 years are those from the State and Federal governments. While no funding is guaranteed, the city has the reasonable expectation of receiving the following formula grant funds for at least the next 3 years:

• Community Development Block Grant -- approximately $875,000 a year.
• Public Housing Comprehensive Grant program -- about $810,000 a year.

Coordination of Strategic Plan

The Community Development Office will coordinate actions connected with the housing and community development strategy through its contracting authority. This has worked in past years because of a small number of agencies involved in housing and community development issues.

Description of Key Projects

For the program year 1995-1996, Warwick plans to use $1,018,000 in CDBG and program income funds for 21 activities to address specific housing, community development, and human services needs.

Housing programs will receive $244,462 for the following:

• $200,000 for grants to develop additional affordable housing based on recommendations of the Affordable Housing Task Force.
• $44,462 for the salary of a rehabilitation officer to administer the Home Improvement Program provision of low-interest rehabilitation loans to income- eligible homeowners. This year the revolving loan fund is expected to receive $140,000 from loan repayments.

Community development projects will receive $295,467 for the following:

• $100,000 for Phase I of Oakland Beach revitalization master plan.
• $100,000 for streetscape neighborhood revitalization work in East Natick.
• $58,467 to renovate bathrooms in EBC House, a battered women's shelter.
• $37,000 for fencing and site work at a new child and family service center.

Public and social service projects will receive $133,860, to include the following:

• $21,000 for the Department of Social Services to fund salaries of a social worker and a geriatric case worker.
• $5,500 for the Kent County Visiting Nurses Association for a health community specialist providing counseling and referrals.
• $6,980 for an expressive art therapy program for children age 13 to 17 who have witnessed or been a victim of family violence.
• $14,000 for an outreach social worker at the House of Hope shelter.
• $18,500 to Kent County Mental Health Center to provide services to victims of trauma, especially to victims of domestic abuse or adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Locations

Most activities were selected on the nature of the service being provided and the clientele being served rather than on a geographic basis. The exceptions are the master plans of Oakland Beach and East Natick Village. These neighborhoods were selected for special attention because of the number of low- and moderate-income residents.

Maps

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 is a map, sectioned by neighborhood, which depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects.

MAP 7 depicts low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within one of the four neighborhoods indicated in MAP 6.

MAP 8 depicts low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects within another of the four neighborhoods indicated in MAP 6.

MAP 9 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded project(s) from a street level vantage point; in addition, a table provides information about the project(s).

Jan Dearborn Wilkins
Community Development Coordinator
Warwick, RI 02886-7191
Phone: (401) 738-2000 ext. 6375