Housing

Report: "Building Central Falls: Creating a Stronger, Safer City Through Housing Opportunities"

Report: "Building Central Falls: Creating a Stronger, Safer City Through Housing Opportunities"

Central Falls has released its first-ever Housing Report on barriers, recommendations, and opportunities to address the City’s growing affordable housing crisis. Recommendations and solutions outlined in the report stem from housing problems and hurdles identified during the three-day Housing Summit hosted earlier this spring, in partnership with United way of Rhode Island and the Latino Policy Institute, focused on spotlighting the specific housing needs of the City and a path forward. The report, Building Central Falls: Creating a Stronger, Safer City Through Housing Opportunities, highlights regulatory limitations and restrictions that impact the City’s ability to access funds and opportunities for housing development, in addition to specific new development and investment opportunities that can address the housing needs of the City.

 

Missed our Central Falls Housing Resource Fair for city residents and landlords? Help is still available.

CF residents and landlords can learn about important housing-related resources and programs through our city's Office on Constituent Services and Health. This office will help connect you with resources and programs, like rent and utility assistance, lead abatement and safety, and more.

Resources include:

  • Rent Relief RI
  • RIHousing LeadSafe
  • Central Falls Housing Authority
  • Rhode Island Center for Justice
  • Rhode Island Commission For Human Rights
  • PCF Development
  • 2-1-1 / United Way of Rhode Island
  • Family Service of RI
  • Childhood Lead Action Project
  • Green & Healthy Homes Initiative
  • Progreso Latino
  • Amos House
  • Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center
  • Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness
  • City of Central Falls Law Department
  • City of Central Falls Office of Constituent Services and Health
  • RI Department of Health - Center for Healthy Homes and Environment
  • SouthCoast Fair Housing
  • Unclaimed Properties
     

RentReliefRI Program Helps Pay Rent and Utilities
Rent and utility assistance is available! The RentReliefRI program can pay for rent and some utilities owed back to April 1, 2020, and cover the security deposit and up to three months of upcoming rent to eligible individuals. The utilities include electricity, water, trash and heat, and applicants may apply for utility payment help even if they do not need help paying for rent. 

 

Who is eligible for Rent Relief RI? Tenant applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be considered for rent relief:

  • Household income must meet certain income limits. Limits vary by location and household size. Click here to view Income Limits.
  • Must have qualified for unemployment benefits or have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, OR experienced other financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to COVID-19.
  • Must show you are at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability. This may include submitting past-due rent and utility bills or eviction notices when you apply.

Visit www.RentReliefRI.com for more details and to apply.

City’s First Housing Summit Brings Community Together to Identify Housing Needs
In late March 2021, Mayor Maria Rivera and the City of Central Falls hosted the City's first 3-Day Housing Summit in response to a need for more affordable housing in Central Falls. 

 

The Central Falls Housing Summit was held over three days via Zoom, conducted in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Mayor Rivera moderated the event, in partnership with Marcela Betancur, executive director of the Latino Policy Institute. The Housing Summit was open to all Central Falls residents, community members, and those who care about housing in the Central Falls community. The 3-Day Summit included:

  • Day 1: "What Are the Housing Needs in Our Community? (March 22, 2021 from 5:30-7:30pm)
  • Day 2: "Funding and Housing Opportunities" (March 24, 2021 from 12:00-2:00pm)
  • Day 3: "A Community Action Plan" (March 26, 2021 from 1:00-3:00pm)

The first Central Falls Housing Summit is made possible through the support of United Way of Rhode Island.