While the mission of creating affordable housing opportunities for Northern Rhode Islanders has always been critical, NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley’s goal of providing residents access to safe, affordable housing has become fundamentally essential.
Election day is here, and there’s a lot of political information out there for voters to look through. Today, we want to help you learn the basics about a ballot question that really needs your vote.
Voting YES on Question 3 helps make housing in our state more affordable through a $120 million investment.
Here’s how the money will be used to benefit Rhode Island:
- $80 million will go toward lowering the cost of building new homes.
- $10 million will be used to buy and repair old buildings, like schools and factories, turning them into homes for Rhode Islanders.
- $20 million will provide housing assistance for Rhode Islanders wanting to buy their first home.
- $5 million will support organizations that help Rhode Islanders without homes by buying land to create housing with necessary services.
By voting Yes on Question 3, you can support affordable housing and help make our state a better place to live!
“Voter support of the Housing Bonds over the years has allowed nonprofit community developers to help meet the growing housing needs of Rhode Islanders,” NWBRV Executive Director Joe Garlick explained.
Garlick, who has spent over 30 years building affordable places for Rhode Islanders to call call home, added that “the affordable apartments and homes we build help the State on so many levels. They generate jobs, provide safe homes for workers, spur health improvements, positively impact educational achievement, and spur local consumer spending to support small businesses.”
Rhode Island has a big need for affordable homes. Right now, the state is short more than 24,000 affordable homes for people who need them. Housing costs are going up, and over 36% of Rhode Islanders are “cost-burdened,” meaning they have to spend over 30% of their income just to cover housing.
By Voting YES on 3, Rhode Island can secure $120 million to help build more affordable housing. This will provide critical housing solutions for people who need them and build over 1000 new affordable homes.
“YES ON 3’ is an opportunity for Rhode Island to make meaningful progress in tackling the state’s severe housing shortage,” Joe explained. “The affordable homes created and preserved by voting yes on Question 3 serve to uplift families and strengthen our neighborhoods, which is something we all benefit from.”
Vote Yes ON 3 November 5, 2024 in the General Election. Click HERE to find your polling place. View a sample ballot HERE. For more insight into YES on 3, we welcome you to watch the YES on 3 campaign video at https://www.yeson3ri.com/media or please visit https://www.facebook.com/voteyeson3ri/.
Housing is more than just a place to live. Housing opens doors to good paying jobs and economic growth and it promotes health and wellness for our families and children across the state. Our administration has made historic investment in housing. This year we have a chance to continue our momentum. On November 5, I’m asking Team Rhode Island to Vote YES on Question 3.”
Rhode Island Governor,
Dan McKee
