Wendy Sanchez, ONE Neighborhood Builders’ Resident Services Manager,
speaks at a HomesRI news conference on Feb. 29, 2024. Photo by Kyle McKendall/ONE Neighborhood Builders
CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO OF PRESS CONFERENCE ON CAPITOLTV
In a significant move to address the affordable housing crisis in Rhode Island, ONE Neighborhood Builders joined HomesRI and a broad coalition of housing advocates to rally support for a proposed $150 million state housing bond on Thursday, Feb. 29. (Read Press Release of Event)
The bond aims to bolster the state’s efforts in affordable housing production and preservation, responding to the escalating need for affordable living spaces amidst rising construction and financing costs. Advocates argue that the current $100 million bond proposal, while substantial, falls short of the state’s growing requirements.
Highlighting Rhode Island’s modest economic growth, challenges of an aging population, and a constrained housing supply, speakers at the event underscored the urgency of expanding financial resources to match the demand for affordable housing. The state’s struggle with stagnant income growth against a backdrop of soaring rent and sales prices further exacerbates the plight of many Rhode Islanders, making the case for increased investment in housing more compelling than ever.
The event brought together a diverse group of speakers, each emphasizing the critical role that affordable housing plays in the state’s overall well-being and economic prosperity.
Among the notable voices were Rhode Island General Treasurer James A. Diossa, who advocated for “going big” by adding $50 million to the housing bond, and Representative June Speakman, who stressed the importance of substantial financial commitment to housing construction and preservation.
The press conference also featured insights from leaders in the housing sector, including Melina Lodge, Rhonda Mitchell, Colin Penney, and Kim Simmons, who collectively highlighted the dire need for more homes to combat the housing crisis effectively. Wendy Sanchez of ONE Neighborhood Builders also offered her perspective, contributing to the dialogue on how to best address the housing needs of Rhode Islanders. Sanchez’s speech, alongside contributions from other speakers, underscores the collective call to action for increased state investment in affordable housing.
Remarks from Wendy Sanchez
ONE|NB’s Resident Services Manager
My name is Wendy Sanchez. I am a Providence resident, a community health worker, a mom, and the Resident Services Manager at ONE Neighborhood Builders.
In my role, I work with hundreds of families across Rhode Island, who rely on the affordable housing we provide.
My team helps these families get the resources, and support they need to stay in their homes. And while the support we provide is so important to those who have access to it, there are so many Rhode Islanders who still don’t have an affordable and safe place to live.
Each day, we hear from those community members who are looking for housing. They are often close to the edge of being evicted due to crazy high rents. Or they are homeless and not sure where they will sleep that night. Unfortunately, most of the time, the best we can do is add them to our wait list and refer them to a homelessness service provider.
We just don’t have enough apartments to meet the demand.
Market rents are too high, even for people working decent jobs, sometimes two.
Good people, trying to navigate all of life’s challenges, should not have to spend so much time finding a place to call home, or so much of their income on rent. Affordable housing residents don’t fit a mold, and our residents are a diverse group with many different stories to tell.
When I think about the residents I work with, I think of the single mother of adult child with a disability that requires full-time care. I also think of the family with two adults who are both working full-time, but facing the extremely high costs of childcare. Some are kids who aged out of the foster care system, and looking for a place to live.
We all need a place to call home.
It’s great to see this group together today advocating, for a new investment in affordable housing, because we need all we can get. There are so many developments that organizations, like ONE Neighborhood Builders have ready to build, but are waiting for funding to do so. That’s hundreds, if not thousands, of apartments that Rhode Islanders could call home if there was enough funding.
I hope my story plays a role in making it happen. The people and families I work with every day are counting on us.
