Rhode Island & The American Rescue Plan

Housing Stability for Rhode Islanders (September 2021)

Recommended Priorities for Investing American Rescue Plan Funds

Overview

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) provides an extraordinary opportunity for federal investment to help states and localities respond to the coronavirus public health emergency and help redress its devastating economic effects. The ARP Act, otherwise known as the COVID-19 Stimulus Plan, was signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 21, 2021. The package is intended to help states recover economic and health effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The State of Rhode Island received a total of $1.1 billion in ARP State Fiscal Recovery Funds, intended to “provide substantial flexibility for each government to meet local needs—including support for households, small businesses, impacted industries, essential workers, and the communities hardest hit by the crisis. These funds can also be used to make necessary investments in water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure..” as told by the U.S. Department of Treasury, highlighting the flexibility of uses of these funds to meet local housing and health needs.

Click here for Economic Progress Institute’s comprehensive update on ARPA in RI.

Click here to view Economic Progress Institute’s one-pager on RI’s ARP allocations.

Click here to view EPI’s break down of ARP funds allocated to towns and cities.

Our Recommendations for Housing Investments

“Housing Stability for Rhode Islanders: Recommended Priorities for Investing ARP Funds”

The General Assembly is currently accepting American Rescue Plan State Fiscal Recovery fund investment recommendations and has created an online portal to collect submissions. This portal provides an opportunity for you to show your support for the Homes RI recommendation of investing $500 million of ARP State Fiscal Recovery funds in Rhode Island’s affordable housing. Click here for guidance on how to fill out the required cover letter. Download and attach the “Housing Stability for Rhode Islanders” PDF above in your email. Address emails to ARPAideaportal@rilegislature.gov.

Below is a timeline of our recommendations’ development processes.

November 2021:

“Housing Stability for Rhode Islanders,” presentation to the Senate Finance Committee

October 2021:

Letter to Governor Dan Mckee regarding investment proposal

“Make it Happen: Investing in Rhode Island’s Future,” report from the RI Foundation’s Make it Happen Steering Committee

September 2021:

“Housing Stability for Rhode Islanders: Recommended Priorities for Investing ARP Funds,” Homes RI proposal

Homes RI stakeholder and partner survey: priorities for recommendations

July 2021:

“Recommendations for Spending Rhode Island’s State Allocation of ARP State and Local Fiscal Coronavirus Recovery Funds,” Homes RI proposal

Social Media Toolkit & Press Coverage

Say Yes to Invest

Our “Say Yes to Invest” toolkit has graphics, sample copy and captions, and factsheets for you to use to spread your support for investing $500 million of American Rescue Plan funds in housing.