Over the past several years Rhode Islanders have been faced with some of the fastest-growing housing costs in the country. To build awareness of this rapidly emerging economic development problem, The Rhode Island Foundation, Rhode Island Housing, and the United Way of Rhode Island joined forces to convene a coalition of stakeholders to search for solutions to the issues of affordable housing. The result was the creation of HousingWorks RI, a coalition of more than 100 businesses, religious groups, professional associations, government, and community groups that is working to end the state’s severe shortage of quality, affordable housing. The Foundation has several roles in this important initiative: Foundation President and CEO Ronald V. Gallo co-chairs the coalition with Richard Godfrey and Tony Maione, of Rhode Island Housing and the United Way, respectively; Jessica Ruthedge, special project officer, is interim director; and the Foundation has committed substantial funding to the initiative. Even before HousingWorks RI, The Rhode Island Foundation had made a substantial commitment to affordable housing, including: And HousingWorks RI has achieved some significant, successes; including the passage of a $50 million voter referendum bond for housing. HWRI website and get involved… | 
