As part of the National Mortgage Settlement funding for local efforts to help homeowners facing foreclosure, Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin today announced a $150,000 grant to the Housing Action Coalition of Rhode Island. Formerly known as the Statewide Housing Action Coalition, the Housing Action Coalition of Rhode Island is a non-profit advocacy group that works to develop, maintain and secure affordable living situations for low-income residents of Rhode Island.
The Housing Action Coalition of Rhode Island will use the funds received from the Office of Attorney General to focus its work on the foreclosure issue in Rhode Island through coordinated outreach and education programs. The Housing Action Coalition of Rhode Island will coordinate and lead monthly coordinated meetings with other community housing organizations, community development organizations, social service agencies, Rhode Island Legal Services and CAP agencies to collect data on homeowner outreach, referrals and other services provided to homeowners by partner organizations and agencies.
In addition, Housing Action Coalition of Rhode Island will create and distribute education materials to policy makers, stakeholders and citizens, as well as create and distribute materials to the public, particularly in neighborhoods hardest hit by foreclosures, that include homeowner rights information and resources for homeowners for which they may be eligible.
"The housing crisis did not take place overnight, and it will take time for our state to recover. That is little consolation to families who continue to struggle to stay in their homes and those who don't know where to turn for help," said Attorney General Kilmartin. "The priority of the National Mortgage Settlement grants is connecting those families who are in immediate need to the right resources while also looking ahead to improve and bring stability to the housing market for the long term. This grant to the Housing Action Coalition of Rhode Island will enable the organization to help bring much-needed resources to struggling homeowners."
Marilyn Drummond, chair of Housing Action Coalition of Rhode Island, added, "We are appreciative of the recognition given by Attorney General Peter Kilmartin and to be the recipient of $150,000 from the National Mortgage Settlement. Monies from this grant will be used to provide outreach and education to support individuals and families struggling to remain in their homes and to enhance the policy environment for low-income homeowners and renters at risk of foreclosure. We look forward to the work that will be accomplished, as we fulfill our mission and partner with other organizations."
Previously, Attorney General Kilmartin announced a two-year, $1.57 million grant to Rhode Island Legal Services (RILS) to fund the Foreclosure Prevention Project, a $375,000 grant to the Housing Network of Rhode Island for homeowner counseling, homebuyer education and outreach, a $155,000 grant to Progreso Latino to expand the agency's Better Living Project and a $60,000 grant to HousingWorks RI to research and report on foreclosures and foreclosure prevention programs over the next three years.