In addition to the government, profit, and non-profit institutions with an eye toward abandonment, everyday citizens are working within their power to transform blight in their neighborhoods. Whether it’s picking up trash in the park, planting in a community garden granted by the city in once vacant lots, or attending neighborhood meetings, plenty of Providence residents have not forgotten about rot in their neighborhoods.
CITIZEN ACTIONS
- find homes of concern
- document abandoned homes here (on Forgotten Providence or elsewhere
- file complaint w/ Providence city code enforcement
- work to keep city enforcement accountable
- lobby local legislators and city councils for law changes reflective of absentee owners
- participate in neighborhood cleanups
- continue to push for the Eight Principles of Open Government
POLICIES IN PLACE FOR CITIZEN USE
On the reconstruction and repair side, the following is a list of programs aimed and encouraging purchasing and repairs of blighted homes.
- State of Rhode Island down-payment assistance
- State of Rhode Island low interest repair loans
- City of Providence loans on on foreclosed properties
- City of Providence repair loans
- Providence Revolving Fund Historical Preservation loans
- West Elmwood Housing Development rehab/purchase/down payment loans/grants
- HUD properties for sale (w/HUD financing)
- HUD backed 203K mortgages on properties in need of repair
- IRS $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers