Rhode Island has received $36 million in federal funding to help residents avoid foreclosure on their homes. The grant comes from the Hardest Hit Fund, a national program for areas most affected by the 2008 housing crash.
Barbara Fields, the director of Rhode Island Housing, says that includes cities like Providence and Central Falls and many suburban communities.
“Whether one lives in Coventry, Cumberland or Tiverton, there’s assistance,” said Fields. “And we will work with them to see what we may be able to provide them.”
Fields says despite an improving economy, many Rhode Islanders are still struggling to make mortgage payments even after improvements in the economy.
“I think already we see that there’s still more help needed in our state, and this is just another tool for us to be able to strengthen the economy.”
Fields expects the money from the Hardest Hit Fund to last about two years. Her agency plans to use part of the funding to open a new help center in Warwick.
The last time Rhode Island received funding was in 2010. Housing officials say the money helped some 3,000 Rhode Islanders.
