07/10/2026
On July 1, Justice Assistance celebrated the inaugural distribution of its innovative Renters’ Wealth Fund, benefiting more than 45 residents across 33 affordable housing units in Providence’s Smith Hill neighborhood and creating new pathways for financial growth and long-term economic stability.
Made possible through a $100,000 investment from the City of Providence’s Providence Equity Fund, managed by United Way of Rhode Island, this groundbreaking initiative allows residents to share in the value created through affordable housing. By returning a portion of the portfolio’s net operating income directly to tenants, the program turns housing stability into an opportunity for wealth-building and financial empowerment.
The evening also connected residents with valuable resources, including individualized assistance from United Way of Rhode Island’s Empowerment Center and a financial wellness workshop hosted by the Capital Good Fund as part of its ongoing Financial Empowerment Workshop series for Smith Hill residents.
We are proud to offer the Renters’ Wealth Fund as part of our affordable housing portfolio because it does more than invest directly in our residents. It empowers our community to build long-term prosperity and stability in a way in which they choose.
Together, as one community, we want to show that affordable housing can be about more than stable housing, it can also be a mechanism for creating financial empowerment, growth, and lasting impact.
