Governor Cuts Housing for Most Vulnerable

Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless

In disregard for the most vulnerable in our state, the Governor has zeroed out the Neighborhood Opportunities Program (NOP) in this year’s budget. NOP is currently RI’s most critical program for ending homelessness and developing affordable housing for low-income families.  It is the only RI program that enables developers to set rents low enough to serve very low-income households and people with disabilities.

The decision to eliminate this crucial program is particularly negligent as it comes at a time when our st overflow ate has seen an in the emergency shelter system and the erection of Tent Cities in the streets of Providence. Taking away resources from this program while we are in the midst of a foreclosures, employment and economic crises will only worsen the affordable housing crisis our state faces.

NOP is in 26 cities and towns in Rhode Island and has created 1,127 units of affordable housing in 166 developments. This includes the production of family housing, permanent supportive housing, and homeownership opportunities.

NOP projects stimulate the economy by creating jobs and by helping local communities. For every $1 invested in NOP, $9 in economic activity is leveraged, making this an excellent investment.

NOP funding has helped many homeless individuals and families move off the street and out of shelters into stable homes.  It also prevented others from becoming homeless in the first place; it stretched limited family incomes so that more could be spent on essentials like food and medicine; it helped to develop facilities that provide services like job training that contributes to productive lives.

The legislature needs to step in, reject the cuts to NOP and to restore funding to a critical homeless prevention and affordable housing program.

Call To Action!

We are urging all concerned Rhode Islanders to call their state Representative and Senator and tell them:

• Reject the cuts to NOP and restore funding to this critical homeless prevention and affordable housing program.

• NOP helps the economy- for every $1 spent, $9 in economic activity is leveraged.

• NOP is everywhere – 26 cities and towns have NOP projects.

• Save NOP!

To find your legislator’s number or for more info., go to www.rihomeless.org