The innovation and scope of Center City Apartments has drawn some recent attention and support from stakeholders and grantors. In May, One Neighborhood Builders was awarded the Dr. J Lee and Judy Westrate Grant for Exceptionalism and Innovations in affordable housing. This prestigious $50,000 grant, awarded by the Housing Ministries of New England, recognizes projects that demonstrate an innovative approach to affordable housing. The grant will directly advance the Center City Apartments development, bringing it one step closer to construction.
Center City Apartments is currently in pre-development and is one of our most ambitious and transformational projects to date. This property will consist of 144 affordable apartments spread across three buildings along Taunton Avenue in East Providence. The development will combine the renovation of an existing building with the construction of two new structures. This multi-use property will transform a once vacant lot into an economic and social contributor to the city of East Providence. We anticipate Center City Apartments’ mixed community space will have a transformational impact on the surrounding community, bringing an increased property value and proving a new revenue source for local businesses.
At Center City Apartments, we are excited to create a community that represents the needs of East Providence. We’re proud to dedicate approximately 40% of the apartments to permanent supportive housing for individuals who have experienced homelessness or are at high risk, providing a safe and welcoming home for those who need it most. The remaining apartments will be reserved for families and individuals who earn between 70-80% of the area median income, ensuring that our community is diverse, inclusive, and reflective of the city of East Providence
This development is also notable for its innovative collaboration with the Taunton Avenue Collaborative. This collaborative is made up of One Neighborhood Builders, Crossroads Rhode Island, Family Service of RI, and Foster Forward. Each member of the collaborative will have offices on site, providing our future residents with service enriched affordable housing. These services include financial literacy training, career coaching, and housing-based case management which together will support our residents in achieving stable long-term housing.
In total, the Center City Apartments development is projected to cost just under $65 million. To date, we have successfully raised over $55 million, with contributions from state and federal sources, as well as private grants. This significant progress brings us closer to realizing our vision of creating a transformative, service-enriched community in East Providence. To learn more about the Center City Apartments development click here
