Narragansett Affordable Housing
Mission Statement
The specific purpose for which the Corporation is organized is to promote,
develop, support, subsidize, own or lease safe, decent and affordable
housing for the benefit of individuals and families qualified under
guidelines issued by the United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development, and to administer community outreach throughout the Sate of
Rhode Island.
The Narragansett Affordable Housing Corporation NAHC is a
non-profit, 501 © (3) formed in 1996. The mission statement of our
organization is to promote, support, subsidize, develop, own or lease
safe, decent and affordable housing and to administer community outreach
throughout the State of Rhode Island.
Home Loan Repair Program: Over the past 8 years our corporation has
administered a Home Loan Repair Program for the Town of Narragansett
Community Development Department. This program assists low and
moderate-income Narragansett families achieve much-needed major repairs to
their residence with deferred and very low interest home repair loans.
Housing Information Program, HIP: For the past twelve years, the
NAHC has provided students in grades 3rd through 8th throughout the State
of Rhode Island, with an interactive, educational seminar on issues
surrounding Fair Housing and discrimination also known as the Housing
Information Program (“HIP”). The Housing Information Program is an
interactive seminar to educate students on issues surrounding the Fair
Housing Law and housing discrimination. The program includes a 40 minute
in-depth seminar on issues surrounding fair housing and housing
discrimination. We close the seminar with a game and prizes are awarded.
The students are left with an essay contest based on what they learned
about the Fair Housing Law, with 1 winner chosen from each classroom.
These students along with 2 guests are honored at an award breakfast. The
winners receive a $50 savings bond along with a gubernatorial citation and
press recognition.
Due to the programs popularity, the Narragansett Affordable Housing
Corporation added an adult component to our HIP program in 2002. Now
participating Town’s have the opportunity to choose their course of
education between their youth and adult populations based on needs of
their communities during any given funding cycle.
Funding for the Housing Information Program is received through each
serviced Town’s CDBG financing. We receive tremendous support from town
and state officials, school administrators including superintendents,
teachers, parents and students.
Continental Street:August 2000, the NAHC embarked on its first home
purchase. We purchased an old duplex located at 33 Continental Street in
Narragansett, Rhode Island. The building inspector condemned the existing
dwelling within the property. Asbestos was removed and the structure was
demolished. We were awarded grant monies from Rhode Island Housing
Mortgage and Finance to include HOME and NOP grant funding. The Town of
Narragansett completed our financing package with a fixed rate mortgage.
Construction of the new duplex began in July 2003 and was completed in
September of 2003. The proud new tenants moved in on October 1, 2003. We
were honored that our duplex appeared as the featured home in RIMFAC
Quarterly newsletter in Fall 2002 and Spring 2004.
Homebuyer Education:January 2002 the NAHC began a Homebuyer
Education initiative with the Narragansett Housing Authority’s Family
Self-Sufficiency Program. The Housing Authority offers the Section 8
Homeownership Program to eligible participants who have graduated from the
NAHC’s Homebuyer Education Program. The goal of the First Time Homebuyer
Education Program is to provide the foundations of knowledge necessary for
an individual to move forward in the steps to homeownership.
Coffey/Frances Avenue: The Town also provided the NAHC with an
opportunity to purchase 2 parcels of land located in Narragansett’s south
end on Coffey and Frances Avenues. The NAHC received approval to construct
4 single- family, three bedroom homes for sale to clients who have
successfully completed Homeownership Education. In July 2004 the NAHC was
awarded funding for these homes through RIMFAC, HOME program and the
Housing Resource Commissions, NOP program. The four homes were constructed
and the final family moved into their new home on 11/21/2005. Final
determination of homeowners was determined through a lottery.
Clarke Farmhouse: The Town of Narragansett also donated a one-acre
parcel of land located on Clarke Road in Narragansett Rhode Island to the
NAHC to construct 3 condominium units for homeownership to service a
population of 55 years and older. All necessary approvals have been
obtained and the Corporation is in the process of receiving bids for this
exciting affordable housing opportunity.
Camp Jori: The Jewish Orphanage of Rhode Island established Camp
Jori in 1937. The 13.5-acre site grew to accommodate 150 campers and a
staff of more than 30 people. JORI has outgrown this location and
purchased a new 60-acre site in neighboring South Kingstown. The executive
board of Camp Jori agreed to sell the site to the Town of Narragansett for
a recreational facility. The Town in turn sold four of these acres to the
Narragansett Affordable Housing Corporation for the purpose of
constructing affordable housing. The project will consist of 40
condominium units for sale to qualified homeowners. 32 of these units are
age restricted for individuals 55 years and older and 8 units are non
-restricted units. The units will be housed in two buildings, building A
will consist of 30 units comprising one and two-bedroom units and building
B will house 10 two-bedroom units.
The NAHC has received final approval from DEM and the Town of Narragansett
Planning Board through the comprehensive permit process. We have a great
team of professionals working to ensure the success of this exciting
project. Our team consists of Durkee, Brown, Viveiros, Werenfels
Architects, Northeast Engineers and Consultants, FJS Associates,
Washington Trust Company and Pezzuco Construction. Construction began as
scheduled on May 7, 2007 with an estimated completion date of April 2008.
Edwards Lane: Through a Comprehensive Permit application, the NAHC
has received final approval for an eight-unit subdivision located on
Edwards Lane in Charlestown Rhode Island. This seven-acre parcel with one
existing home was purchased by the NAHC with the help of RIH land bank
program in August 2006. All necessary approvals have been received through
the Town of Charlestown and grant funding has been awarded through the
HOME program. The Corporation is in the process of completing the drawings
and bidding the project to prospective contractors.
Narragansett Affordable Housing Corporation has administered numerous
projects since its inception in1996. The NAHC has established good working
relationships with key decision makers in South County. The numerous
housing rehabilitation and construction projects within the Town of
Narragansett have brought us into contact with planning and zoning boards,
Town officials, government officials, civic and community groups, faith
based organizations, social service agencies, lending institutions and
private industry. A strong board of dedicated, community minded
individuals has always been a critical element of the Narragansett
Affordable Housing Corporation’s success. The areas in which we have
achieved significant organizational expertise include:
· Established relationships with local service providers, building
community partnerships.
· Understanding of and participation in development of local community and
strategic planning initiatives.
· Understanding of local political issues and key opinion leaders.
· Understanding the needs of South County communities.
· Local housing market expertise
· Providing affordable housing to South County communities.
· Resident leaders
· Local town councils
· Creating self-sufficient homeowners from persons dependent on public
assistance.
A board of commissioners, which meet monthly,
governs the Narragansett Affordable Housing Corporation. The President and
Vice President handle the daily operations of the Corporation.
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