FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mary Kate Harrington, 401-450-1356 or [email protected]
Partners celebrate new homes for veterans
VA to provide key services for formerly homeless veterans
Providence, R.I. (November 12, 2014) – U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and
U.S. Congressman James Langevin joined Omni Development Corporation, the Department of
Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals, Rhode Island Housing and
their funding and community partners on Monday to celebrate the creation of new homes and
supportive services for veterans.
The development, known as Turning Point II, has restored an historic building on the site and
provides 14 affordable rental homes for chronically homeless veterans with disabilities. In line
with Opening Doors Rhode Island’s goal of reducing homelessness among Veterans by 20% each
year, the 14 homes at Turning Point II (3-5 Convent Street, Providence) will house a significant
portion of the 80-90 homeless veterans that are identified each year.
“With enduring respect and gratitude for the sacrifices of all our veterans, we have a
responsibility to help veterans who have fallen on hard times work their way back up. And that
starts with ensuring they have the shelter, care, and supportive services they need. I commend
the Omni Development Corporation, the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare,
Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals, and Rhode Island Housing for undertaking this
important project to provide veterans in need with new homes and connect them to vital
services. Together, we can work to eliminate veteran homelessness,” said Senator Jack Reed, a
member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs,
and Related Agencies.
Located in the Elmhurst neighborhood of Providence, the recently rehabilitated circa 1940
building is in close proximity to the Veterans Administration Medical Center. Turning Point II
gives residents and their families close proximity to transportation, shopping and recreational
areas. In 2011 Omni Development Corp. completed Turning Point I, which provides 14
permanent supportive housing for veterans located at 1380 Broad Street, Providence.
“Too many Rhode Island veterans struggle to find a good place to live and the support needed
to deal with the causes of their homelessness,” said Whitehouse. “Projects like this are an
important part of our mission to end homelessness among veterans. I applaud Omni
Development Corporation and everyone who has worked hard to build these homes, and in so
doing honor the sacrifices our veterans have made.”
Veterans face unusually high odds of homelessness and often remain homeless for long periods
of time. The housing needs of veterans often require specialization and supportive services. This
development helps promote independent living by integrating veterans into an already
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established neighborhood with access to public transportation, shopping, services and
employment opportunities.
“Coming from a family of veterans, I understand the importance of assisting those men and
women who return back home after service to their country,” said Joe Caffey, President of
Omni Development Corporation. “We at Omni are very proud to be able to help with this
transition. Thus we truly believe that Turning Point II will be a true turning point in the
transition of these veterans.”
As of fiscal year 2011, Rhode Island had 72,835 veterans residing in the state. The largest
segment of war service veterans served in Vietnam, followed by the Persian Gulf, World War II
and Korea. An additional 15,510 veterans served during peacetime. According to accumulated
HUD data analyzed by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, nationally, 610,042 persons
experienced homelessness in 2013. Of that total 58,063 (9.5%) were veterans. In Rhode Island,
over 280 veterans experienced homelessness in 2013.
“Efforts like this one are so important to our state,” says Craig Stenning, Director of the
Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals. “Our veterans
have risked their lives, and while deployed, deal with so many issues. Our department has made
military personnel a priority population for all of our programs.”
Many community partners worked together to successfully bring this project to completion.
Financing for the development was provided under HUD’s Supportive Housing Program (SHP)
and state HOME and Building Homes Rhode Island (BHRI) funding. SHP funding will also
provide operating funding and supportive service resources. Homeless and disabled veterans
will have access to mainstream resources at the VA and also through Omni’s partnership with
the Providence Center. The Providence Center provides treatment and supportive services with
a full array of community-based care to help adults, children and families live happy, healthy
lives.
Efforts such as these have a positive impact beyond the creation of safe, affordable homes. They
have provided jobs in the hard-hit construction sector and create a ripple effect on the city and
state’s economy. BHRI and housing tax credits have played a major role in keeping the
construction sector afloat in Rhode Island. Construction activity supported by BHRI accounted
for close to 60% percent of the total estimated cost of residential construction permitted in
Rhode Island from 2007 to 2010. At a time of record-high unemployment numbers, BHRI
supported 6,100 jobs in Rhode Island. Turning Point II created 30 jobs throughout the
rehabilitation and construction process. In Providence, there have been 563 homes funded
through BHRI.
“The homes at Turning Point II will not only provide residents with safe, healthy apartments
they can afford, they are also connecting veterans with vital supportive services and
transportation,” said Richard Godfrey, Executive Director of Rhode Island Housing. “Initiatives
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like this make it possible to help our country’s service men and women find homes they can
afford, while enhancing the community as a whole.”
About Omni Development Corporation
Omni Development Corporation is a non-profit organization that aims to provide good housing to
candidates who otherwise may not be able to obtain it. Omni has developed 1145 affordable homes
throughout Rhode Island. Omni was founded in 1986 after a real estate bust that put an end to the
revitalization of urban housing development in Providence during the seventies and eighties. Omni is making
an effort to once again breathe life into dilapidated areas of Providence. Over the past two decades, Omni
Development Corp. has brought a renaissance to some of Rhode Island’s poorest neighborhoods, replacing
vacant lots and abandoned properties with high-quality, safe and affordable housing.
About Rhode Island Housing
Together with its partners, Rhode Island Housing works to ensure that all people who live and work in
Rhode Island can afford a healthy, attractive home that meets their needs. Rhode Island Housing uses all of
its resources to provide low-interest loans, grants, education and assistance to help Rhode Islanders find, rent,
buy, build and keep a good home. Created by the General Assembly in 1973, Rhode Island Housing is a
privately funded public purpose corporation. For more information, visit: www.rhodeislandhousing.org
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