PROVIDENCE – Mayor David N. Cicilline today joined Providence Housing Authority (PHA) Director Stephen J. O’Rourke for a tour of ongoing stimulus projects fueled by American Recovery & Reinvestment Act dollars. The PHA is investing more than $5.2 million dollars in major renovation and construction projects at its housing complexes and scattered-site units throughout Providence. The goal is to improve the quality of life for PHA residents while creating jobs.
“I want to commend Stephen O’Rourke for his extraordinary management skills that continue to distinguish him as a national leader in public housing,” said Mayor Cicilline. “He has worked closely with our ARRA team over the past couple of months to maximize every single dollar in stimulus funds to significantly improve PHA housing and create good-paying jobs.”
“The Providence Housing Authority appreciates the $5.1 million allocation of federal stimulus funds,” said Stephen J. O’Rourke, PHA Executive Director. “This allocation of funds will assist us in catching up with our outstanding capital needs and lead to a safer and more pleasant environment for our residents.”
PHA stimulus-funded projects include landscaping, painting, electrical upgrades, window repairs, new decorative fencing, construction of new playgrounds and the construction of new porches and decks. The work is underway at Chad Brown, Admiral Terrace, Roger Williams, Codding Court, Hartford Park Manton Avenue, Dexter Manor, Dominica Manor, Carroll Tower, Kilmartin Plaza, Parenti Villa and at single-family homes located in various neighborhoods throughout the city.
The projects have resulted in the retention or creation of 122 jobs; some of those jobs are being performed by tenants of the Providence Housing Authority.
O’Rourke is a member of Providence’s 22-member ARRA team established by Mayor Cicilline earlier this year to ensure that Providence was in the strongest position to maximize economic recovery dollars to their fullest potential. The PHA’s five-year strategic plan for capital improvements also played a major role in helping the agency compete for federal stimulus dollars.
