Warwick to benefit from federal grant for affordable housing
by Russell J. Moore (Warwick Beacon)
Jan 15, 2009
The City has received grants worth just over $6 million to provide housing and services to low-income elderly and disabled individuals.

The grant, secured by Senator John Reed (D-RI), is part of a larger $13.2 million grant that will also help residents from Coventry and Westerly.

The lion-share of the Warwick grant, approximately $5.2 million, will be used to benefit the new partnership created between Cornerstone Adult Services and the Saint Elizabeth Community.

The money will be used to construct 34 one-bedroom units of housing for very low-income and frail elderly people. The group is also receiving an additional $480,300 for a three-year rental subsidy.

"This federal aid is targeted to help vulnerable citizens with limited resources find a safe, decent place to live. It also helps refurbish old properties and creates more affordable housing in Coventry, Warwick, and Westerly. This initiative is geared towards providing these individuals with the resources they need to maintain self sufficiency and is a wise investment in our communities," said Reed, a member of the Banking Committee, which oversees federal housing policy.

The Senator’s office didn’t release information revealing when the construction would begin.

Steve Horowitz, the President and CEO of Saint Elizabeth Community, said the grant would be a boon to the city and its attempts to provide affordable housing and services for seniors.

“I think the beauty of this is the close proximity to Cornerstone. We’ll be able to provide a meal and a resident services coordinator in addition to the housing with this grant,” said Horowitz.

Roberta Merkle, President and CEO of Cornerstone Adult Services, Inc., agreed that the Cornerstone would also be able to provide social workers for the seniors living in the housing.

Horowitz said the close proximity to Cornerstone – the complex will sit on an adjoining lot – and the partnership between the two groups would provide much needed services for the residents.

“In the long run, every one of the residents will take advantage of some type of service,” said Horowitz.

Both said the point of the development is to allow seniors to live as independently as possible while still providing necessary services.

The House of Hope Community Development Corporation in Warwick will also receive $724,300 to rehabilitate convalescent homes and develop five units of affordable housing for very low-income persons with disabilities.

The group is also receiving an additional $70,800 for a three-year rental subsidy. Like the Saint Elizabeth Community development, all units will be designed for full accessibility for disabled residents to ensure the highest standard of independent living possible.

“That’s great news,” said Karen Jeffreys from the Rhode Island Coalition For The Homeless.