12/05/2011

Ribbon Cutting at OpenDoors in Rhode Island

On October 24, Mayor Angel Taveras joined OpenDoors and Rhode Island Housing to cut the ribbon on safe, healthy and affordable rental homes for Rhode Islanders who are returning to the community after incarceration.

CSH provided OpenDoors with an acquisition loan and technical assistance to purchase a 15,000 square foot, former Sealtest factory. The renovated building now includes 19 new rental homes -- five one-bedrooms and 14 studios -- as well as new office space for OpenDoors. OpenDoors provides ex-offenders with human and social services such as employment trainings, financial literacy, mentoring, computer classes, case management, support groups, tax preparation assistance and counseling.

“OpenDoors uses a holistic approach to support offenders as they prepare to leave prison, return home, and stabilize in the community,” said Sol Rodriguez, Executive Director of OpenDoors. “Our new facility will allow us to better promote economic self-sufficiency of the formerly incarcerated by addressing barriers to successful re-entry.”

Additional funding was provided by The City of Providence, Rhode Island Housing, Tax Credit Exchange Program (TCEP) funds, and Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) Funds.

Also at the event were project partners and representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals, Department of Corrections, and the Office of Housing and Community Development/Housing Resources Commission.

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