Community Development

The primary purpose of the Community Development Office is to assist Warwick based non-profit organizations with meeting the needs of the City's low-moderate income individuals and to help revitalize low-moderate income eligible neighborhoods through the use of CDBG funds. The department provides fixed-rate low interest loans to assist low-moderate income home owners to correct code violations and perform those repairs that will ensure them a safe, decent, and suitable living environment. The department will also provided grants to eligible Warwick homeowners to tie their homes into the Warwick Sewer System.

City of Warwick

Office of Housing & Community Development
Community Development Block Grant CDBG-CV (CARES Act)


Notice of Virtual Public Hearing & Five Day Public Comment Period
Amendment to the PY 2020-2021 Annual Action Plan

In response to the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant has notified the City of Warwick that it will receive an allocation of $1,161,302 ($575,033(CDBG-CV1) & $586,269 (CDBG-CV3) to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19. This allocation was authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Public Law 116-136, which was signed by President Trump on March 27, 2020, to respond to the growing effects of this historic public health crisis. 

As a requirement of receiving the CDBG-CV funds, the City of Warwick is required to amend its PY 2020-2021 Annual Action Plan to incorporate projects and activities that the City intends to fund with the CDBG-CV funds.

Proposed PY 2020-2021 Annual Action Plan Amendment:
The City of Warwick hereby requests public comment from residents within the community to comment on the proposed allocation of the CDBG-CV funds. The City intends to allocate approximately $100,000 of its available funds to fund a rehabilitation activity at a childcare center owned & operated by Westbay Community Action, Inc.  The activity calls for the upgrading of the HVAC system at the child care center to include new air exchange and UV light purification to enhance the air quality and reduce the airborne particles that carry and spread COVID-19.

Public Notice & Citizens Participation:
In accordance with the City’s Adopted Citizens Participation Plan, incorporating 24 CFR 91.05(c)(2) and subpart B of the federal regulations relative to citizen participation for Community Planning and Development Programs and applicable waivers made available to those requirements through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) Waiver #8 & #9, the City of Warwick has reduced the 30-day minimum required public comment period for substantial amendments to the City’s Consolidated & Annual Action Plans to allow for no less than 5-days are provided for public comments on each substantial amendment. In addition, the City of Warwick is implementing the use of alternative methods for public participation and will allow for reasonable notification and access for citizens.  All notices of opportunities to comment will be posted through the City’s website (www.warwickri.gov) and via posting at Warwick City Hall and at the Office of Housing & Community Development at a minimum of 2-days prior to the beginning of the 5-day comment period. The notice will include a brief description of the proposed amendment(s), and the method by which the public will be able to participate and comment on the proposed amendment(s). The City of Warwick will provide all proposed changes through the Community Development webpage, as well as timely response to any comments received by email, telephone or USPS within 2 business days of receipt.

In addition, The City of Warwick will utilize virtual hearings as an allowed method of public comment.  The City will hold all public hearings virtually utilizing either Zoom Application or another widely used service, with the manner in which the public can access the virtual public hearing being contained in the notice of public comment & hearing.  The utilization of virtual public hearings will be in effect until such time as the State of Rhode Island Department of Health and the City of Warwick release guidance that restrictions pertaining to in-person meetings and social distancing requirements are no longer required. The City of Warwick will ensure real-time responses and accommodations for persons with disabilities and/or with limited English proficiency will be made available to the greatest extent possible while utilizing virtual hearings.

The Five Day Public Comment Period will begin on Monday, May 24, 2021  and conclude on Monday, May 28, 2021 at 3:30 pm. Public Comments can be emailed to William R. Facente, Acting Program Coordinator / Housing Officer, Office of Housing & Community Development at william.r.facente@warwickri.com or can be mailed to:

Office of Housing & Community Development
3275 Post Road
Warwick, RI 02886

If you would like to make a public comment by phone, please call (401) 921-9688. All public comments will be taken into consideration prior to sending the Substantial Amendment No. 2 to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

In addition, the City will hold a public hearing on May 26, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. related to the proposed changes to the Annual Action and Citizens Participation Plans.  The Virtual Public Hearing will be held via ZOOM Application and can be accessed the following way:

The following options are available to access this meeting:
You may access or participate in the meeting using the Zoom Application on a smart device or on a PC via the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82035119311?pwd=VkxIcGREaXZ2dlVRaEY5V3ZURmFSUT09

Passcode: 912131

Anyone wanting to participate via telephone only, may call one of the following: 929 205 6099 or 301 715 8592 or 312 626 6799 or 669 900 6833 or 253 215 8782 or 346 248 7799

Toll Free numbers: 877 853 5247 or 888 788 0099 or 833 548 0276 or 833 548 0282.

You will then need to punch in the Webinar ID: 820 3511 9311 Passcode: 912131 on your touchtone keypad.

While everyone joining the meeting will be muted, if at the appropriate time during the proceedings you wish to ask a question, you may: If using a smart phone or a PC – click on the “Raise Hand” icon. If phoning in – punch *9 on the touchtone keypad. The moderator will indicate when it is your turn to comment/ask a question.  The meeting moderator will then ask for the participant having raised their hand to be unmuted. After the question, answer, and any further discussion, the participant will be muted again and will need to click on the Raise Hand icon or punch in *9 to ask another question.

The City of Warwick intends to submit the Substantial Amendment to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) on or about June 1, 2021.

 

Staff Contacts

Name Title Phone
William Facente Acting Program Coordinator (401) 738-2009
Melissa J. Foley Housing & Community Development Coordinator (401) 921-9691
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