Celebrating Housing America Month in Rhode Island

Oct. 9, 2012 - PRLog -- In what promises to be a nationally and regionally heralded “Housing America” event, RI’s most powerful voices in public housing are planning a robust day at the Johnston Senior Center.  On October 12, 2012 between 11AM and 1PM over 200 residents of public housing will be joined in a celebration and showcase of the accomplishments, endeavors and needs of RI’s Housing community.

The “Housing America” Advocacy Campaign is headed by Steve Merritt, who is eager to participate and partner with PHARI on this ambitious event.  Steve Merritt referenced the mission and goals of this advocacy campaign, “Today, 15.6 million households pay more than half of their income for housing; homeless estimates are nearly 750,000. America is the best housed nation on earth, yet for a growing and more economically-diverse number of families, children, seniors and persons with disabilities, affordable housing in quality communities is illusionary. As individuals, organizations, and a nation, we must do more and do better to help those least able to help themselves. Safe, decent and affordable housing is pivotal in our society—beyond providing basic shelter, it positively impacts the economy and improves the quality of our environment.”  

PHARI President, Jim Reed agreed, “PHARI and its 25 member public housing authorities representing over 40,000 people statewide is happy to have joined with affordable industry partners across the state in supporting the Housing America campaign. This is a wonderful opportunity to educate the public, elected officials and RI stakeholders on the positive impact Public Housing has on the people we serve and the RI economy.” He continued, “We are so pleased that our Congressional Delegation will be with us, as we have a very special and heartwarming presentation prepared to showcase the true human impact of a safe, affordable, decent home.”

This year Kylee Silva of the Johnston Housing Authority won in the High School Division for the New England region of the “What a Home Means to Me” contest, with her touching poster and essay. Jim Reed acknowledged the importance of the “Housing America” Advocacy campaign, in particular the poster contest, “We are so very proud of all of the children from throughout the state who created fantastic posters and essays for the past several years. They provide such a clear perspective of the true value of a home.”

About Housing America
Housing America is a year-long campaign to inform the public and decision makers about the need to meet the country's affordable housing and community development challenges. NAHRO is joined in the campaign by partners from the non-profit, governmental, and private sectors.

About PHARI
Public Housing Association of Rhode Island is the association of 25 member public housing agencies. It works to advocate for safe, affordable, and decent housing.  The Mission of PHARI is to buoy RI's Public Housing agencies, through advocacy and education in order to achieve the overall mission of public housing, which is: To ensure safe, decent, and affordable housing; create opportunities for residents' self-sufficiency and economic independence; and assure fiscal integrity by all program participants.  Our Member PHA's always: Recognize the residents as the ultimate customer; Improve PHA management and service delivery efforts through oversight, assistance, and selective intervention by highly skilled, diagnostic, and results-oriented field personnel; Seek problem-solving partnerships with residents, community, and government leadership.