The AS220 StinkTank and the House of Unrepresentatives Present

Last week's front page story in the Providence Journal told everyone what they already knew: it's hard to find an affordable place to live. The average price of a place to live is way above the average amount people make, and the result is too many people chasing too few apartments, condos and houses.

The diagnosis is easy. Most people who have recently looked for a place to live know there is a problem. It's the prescription that is hard. The state is spending $7.5 million every year on building affordable housing. But the residential housing market in RI is a $4.5 billion market. Rentals alone represent more than $350 million. Is this all we can do?

Come join the AS220 Stinktank for the first in a series of hearings before a Select Committee of the House of Unrepresentatives: hearing policy proposals that ought to be in the Legislature, but aren't, before a panel of citizens who ought to be in the Legislature, but aren't. Join a panel of citizens to hear and argue about unusual policy proposals from Mike Lozano from Elmwood Neighborhood Services, and Brenda Clement of the Housing Network.

Brenda Clement has served as the Executive Director of the Housing Network of Rhode Island since June 1994. The Network is the state association of over 20 nonprofit community development corporations in Rhode Island. She began her work in housing and community development as a volunteer co-founding Sayles Avenue Holding Company, a faith-based development corporation in Pawtucket in 1988. She currently serves as Secretary. She also co-founded Pawtucket Citizens Development Corporation and served as Board President for four years prior to starting at the Network.

In her role as Executive Director, Ms. Clement represents the CDC community on numerous Boards, Commissions and Advisory Councils including the State Housing Resources Commission, State Housing Action Coalition, Providence Neighborhood Housing Corporation, Grow Smart-RI, the Fund for Community Progress, Boston Federal Reserve Community Advisory Board, Sovereign Bank Community Advisory Board, Fannie Mae Northeast Region Community Advisory board and Mayor Cicilline's Providence Housing Council.

Michael Lozano is a Senior Project Manager for Real Estate Development at Greater Elmwood Neighborhood Services, a Providence based non-profit commuiy development corporation that focuses on affordable housing development and neighborhood revitalization. He holds an architecture degree from Cornell University and a masters degree in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University, focusing on affordable housing issues.

November's housing forum is just the first of a series of events hosted by the Stinktank. You'll hear discussions here you won't here anywhere else. But should.