🏙 ENGLISH FOR MAYOR: Providence Housing Renewal Plan
Transforming Abandoned Spaces into Hope and Homes
1. Vision
Providence has dozens of old churches, temples, and industrial buildings that sit empty—reminders of our city’s history but also symbols of what’s been lost. As Mayor, Michael English will lead an initiative to repurpose these abandoned structures into safe, dignified housing for residents in need—starting with the homeless, struggling youth, and working families.
2. Program Overview: “From Ruins to Renewal”
Goal: Create self-sustaining mini-communities across Providence using existing structures to reduce homelessness, increase affordable housing, and revive neighborhoods.
Core Model:
- Micro-Units: Small, private rooms for individuals or couples.
- Family Suites: Larger rooms or connected units for families.
- Common Areas: Shared kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry facilities.
- On-Site Services:
- Mental health support and counseling
- Life skills training (budgeting, cooking, job readiness)
- Community recreation spaces
- On-site caseworkers and peer mentors
3. Building Conversion Priorities
Target Buildings:
- Abandoned churches and temples (for central housing with community kitchens)
- Vacant industrial buildings and mills (for multi-unit affordable housing)
- Underutilized city or state-owned buildings (repurposed with local nonprofits)
Redevelopment Approach:
- Partner with local unions and trade schools for renovation labor.
- Use modular designs for speed and cost-efficiency.
- Apply green energy retrofits—solar panels, efficient HVAC—to reduce ongoing costs.
4. Housing Categories
-Transitional Micro-Units
-Homeless individuals
-Immediate shelter with access to mental health
and recovery services
-Youth Affordable Housing Ages 18–25
Affordable rents, career mentoring, and
educational partnerships
-Family Affordable Apartments
-Low-to-moderate income families
-2–3 bedroom units in renovated industrial
sites
5. Community and Economic Impact
- Reduce street homelessness by providing long-term solutions, not short-term shelters.
- Revitalize neighborhoods by converting blighted buildings into productive assets.
- Create local jobs through renovation projects and building maintenance.
- Increase property values and safety in surrounding areas.
- Attract federal and state housing grants for adaptive reuse projects.
6. Partnerships
- Rhode Island Housing
- Local mental health organizations
- Faith-based nonprofits
- Construction trade schools
- University social work programs
7. Funding Mechanism
- Federal HUD “Continuum of Care” and HOME Investment Partnerships funds
- Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
- Public-private partnerships with local developers
- Philanthropic contributions and housing trusts.
8. Leadership Quote
“Providence doesn’t have a homelessness problem—it has a housing opportunity. By transforming our abandoned buildings into community homes, we can give people back dignity, stability, and purpose.”
— Michael English, Candidate for Mayor 2026
