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.
View our timeline of American Rescue Plan legislation progress in Rhode Island below:
Say YES to Invest Rally - Join us in May!
Senate Finance Committee Hearing on American Rescue Plan Investments; Article 1, Section 16.
Alexa Gagosz, Boston Globe: Despite unprecedented federal dollars, housing advocates say R.I. still isn’t designating enough funds to build, preserve units
NON-PROFIT HOUSING DEVELOPERS CAN PRODUCE OVER 1900 AFFORDABLE HOMES IN
NEXT THREE YEARS (HNRI Press Release and Infographic)
Governor’s FY 2023 Budget: ARPA Projects Presentation
House Finance Committee Hearing on American Rescue Plan Investments; Article 1, Section 16.
Article 1, Section 16 Housing Investments State Fiscal Recovery Funds Presentation
American Rescue Plan State Fiscal Recovery Funds Request & Budget Proposal Comparison (Last Updated: 2.15.22)
Homes RI statement regarding Governor's budget proposal.
Governor Dan McKee FY23 budget housing investment proposals.
General Assembly approves FY22 supplemental budget
“Housing Stability for Rhode Islanders,” Homes RI presentation to the Senate Finance Committee.
Homes RI Letter to Governor Dan Mckee regarding FY22 supplemental budget, housing investment proposal.
Governor McKee’s supplemental FY22 budget proposal.
“Make it Happen: Investing in Rhode Island’s Future,” report from the RI Foundation’s Make it Happen Steering Committee
“Housing Stability for Rhode Islanders: Recommended Priorities for Investing ARP Funds,” Homes RI proposal.
Homes RI stakeholder and partner survey: priorities for ARPA recommendations.
“Recommendations for Spending Rhode Island’s State Allocation of ARP State and Local Fiscal Coronavirus Recovery Funds,” Homes RI proposal; submitted to Make it Happen Steering Committee.
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.