PROVIDENCE -- Two neighborhood groups have received affirmative action awards for having outstanding participation of women and minorities in construction projects last year.
The annual awards are given out by Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation, the statewide agency that provides and helps local groups secure the financing needed for housing projects.
The recipients are the Smith Hill Community Development Corporation and Stop Wasting Abandoned Property Inc.
The Smith Hill agency was honored for its work on Smith Hill Visions, a project that created 26 lead-safe, affordable apartments for families that earn minimum wage, according to Chris Barnett, a spokesman for Rhode Island Housing.
Barnett said women and minority workers contributed about 19,000 hours to the project, which included the construction and renovation of single- and multi-family houses in the Bernon Street area.
"Every apartment we build represents an opportunity to build community, too," said Francis Smith, executive director of the Smith Hill agency. "We make sure we hire and buy locally and we're extremely proud of the way we reach out to Smith Hill and Providence residents and businesses."
SWAP was recognized for its Potters Avenue area revitalization on the South Side. About 14.9 percent of the project's $3.7-million construction budget went to women- and minority-owned contractors, Barnett said.
The project
resulted in 38 lead-safe, affordable apartments and 21 homes for sale to low-income buyers.
Carla DeStefano, SWAP's executive director, said her agency's contractor-mentoring program has helped dozens of small businesses get started in the construction industry.
"It only makes sense to hire from the neighborhood and to hire people we've trained and have confidence in. Every project gives us another tool to bring economic opportunity to the South Side."
Over the last 16 years, Rhode Island Housing has given affirmative action awards to more than 20 agencies. According to Rhode Island Housing, women- and minority-owned businesses have won $22 million in construction contracts on local projects over the last nine years.
"We have an unconditional commitment to affirmative action," said Rhode Island Housing executive director Richard Godfrey. "Women- and minority-owned businesses must earn a fair share of the millions of dollars we spend building apartments every year."
In addition to providing wages and experience, Godfrey said, "cultural and ethnic diversity makes us stronger. The differences in viewpoints and experiences add something to every development we finance."
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