Winning the lottery: East Providence school site turned into income-restricted housing
City and state leaders gathered at one of the three new duplexes on Hoppin Avenue on April 22, to celebrate the project, saying that adding the six new units will help alleviate, even a small amount, the state's housing crisis.
The three new duplexes were sold for $239,000, well below the market rate and below what the eight other single-family homes sold for, around $550,000 to $600,000. The three duplexes cost SWAP, the contractors who built the duplexes, around $450,000 to $475,000, including the cost of the land.
East Providence Mayor Roberto DaSilva said he grew up in a two-family house, on the second floor, in Washington Park in Providence. "Thanks to that, my family was able to achieve the American dream," DaSilva said.
The three duplexes were sold via a lottery to people making up to 80% of the area median income, $62,950 for a single person, $71,950 for a couple. A family of four could have made up to $89,900.
SWAP Executive Director Carla DeStefano is a huge proponent of duplexes because they add greater density and they give home buyers an income stream to offset the cost of their mortgage, although often times, family members move into the additional units.
"We're essentially subsidizing almost one full unit," DeStefano said.
In October of last year, DeStefano's group sold five duplexes for $309,000 in South Providence on Portland Street. The higher price point reflected the higher maximum income limit, 100% of the area median income, $78,680 for a single person or $112,400 for a family of four.
The city's plan was to subdivide the former school site and sell eight 7,500-square-foot lots, which have all been turned into single-family houses, and three 10,000-square-foot lots for income-restricted housing, which were sold to SWAP.
DeStefano had to ask the city for a zoning change to allow her to build duplexes, instead of single-family homes, on the three lots the city sold her organization for income-restricted housing.
Those lots are big for a city. As an example, Providence allows buildings on lots up to 10,000 square feet to be totally exempt from parking requirements, which allows for dense apartment buildings.
DeStefano said she teased DaSilva about East Providence's restrictive zoning requirements and that he takes to heart concerns over the need to increase density.
Selling for $239,000 duplexes that cost $450,000 to $475,000 to build represented a significant subsidy to the homebuyer.
Funding to subsidize the income-restricted houses was provided by:
RI Housing's site acquisition grant
RI Housing's homeowner investment fund
RI Housing's pre-development grant
Centerville Bank offered mortgages that did not require private mortgage insurance, or PMI.
With the new single-family homes up on Hoppin and Burnside avenues, some decisions on landscaping, including fences, will be up to the new buyers. The other new homeowners on the eight smaller lots haven't put up fences yet, DeStefano said.
"It's almost like a subdivision where everybody needs to decide," she said.
When she was growing up, neighbors left their yards open and children treated them as one big field, although she suspects, with lots so large, some people might put up fences close to the house and leave much of their yards unfenced.
While SWAP doesn't normally use vinyl siding on its properties because of its fragility in the dead of winter, the group did for these duplexes to make them fit in with all the other new builds.
A few trees still need to be planted as part of the landscaping.
SWAP has a drawer full of house designs that are usually pulled for any given project, which reduces costs because the nonprofit doesn't have to pay an architect every time they want to build a new house.
In this instance, DaSilva did not want all of the houses to have extensive second floors, so SWAP reconfigured several past designs. One building, the most popular, was the "classic up-and-down" with three bedrooms on the first floor and a two-bedroom unit on the second floor.
"We can put this house on, easily, 3,500 square feet in the city," DeStefano said. "These houses can literally go anywhere."
"With all the hoopla about (accessory dwelling units), what we really need to focus on is the model that probably already exists in all 39 cities and towns in Rhode Island," DeStefano said. "It's these houses. They fit right into every community."
Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Providence Journal subscription. .
Follow Wheeler Cowperthwaite on X, @WheelerReporter, or reach him by email at wcowperthwaite@providencejournal.com.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Three income-restricted duplexes sold by lottery in East Providence

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Boston Globe
33 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
Mexico, EU tariff threats send uncertainty rippling through Boston's shoppers and small business owners
'Everything comes from Mexico ‐ avocadoes, cilantro, radishes ‐ a lot of whole foods,' she said. 'Something that seems small to billionaires could really affect people.' If the tariffs go into effect on August 1, consumers forced to pay more for daily groceries will spend less elsewhere in the economy, experts warn. In addition to future price hikes, Trump's tariff threats will cause Americans to feel more economic uncertainty, according to financial experts. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The tariffs would cause prices to rise in the 'global food supply chain,' and the import taxes likely wouldn't bring manufacturing jobs back to the US, said Scott Clemons, chief investment strategist for Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., a global firm founded in 1818. Advertisement Over the past several decades, the US has strengthened its exports of legal, tech, accounting and other services, Clemons said. Despite Trump's agenda, the balance of global trade favors US service exports and goods imports, he said. 'If these tariffs go into effect and last, we're going to find out viscerally how much of our food supply is imported,' Clemons said. Advertisement If Mexico and the EU negotiate more favorable trade terms with the US in the next couple of weeks, the 30 percent tariff Trump threatened won't go into effect, according to letters the president posted online. Caroline Aiello, a co-owner of DeLuca's on Newbury Street, said Sunday that she felt a little bump in prices when the first tariff scare took place earlier this year. DeLuca's did not adjust prices at the time, and she said if tariffs do come into effect, there isn't a set plan in place to offset the cost. 'We're already competing with huge stores, and we don't have the buying power that they do,' Aiello said. At JP's Streetcar wine shop, about 80 percent of the bottles on shelves are imported from Europe, said owner Mike Dupuy. Prices on all the wine at the shop ‐ domestic and European ‐ will certainly go up if the tariff is imposed, he warned. After importers pay the 30 percent tariff on European wine, they'll pass off the increased costs to distributors, many of whom sell both US and international wine, Dupuy explained. The distributors, who sell cases to shops like Streetcar, would likely raise the price of all their products, including wine produced in the US, he said. Furthermore, American wine makers in California, Oregon and New York rely on equipment ‐ and even wine bottles ‐ imported from Europe, Dupuy said. 'It's kind of immeasurably bad news,' said Dupuy, who opened his shop 13 years ago with an intent to focus on wines from France, Italy, Germany and Austria. Jordan Garry, store manager at Tropical Foods in Roxbury, said the store has not experienced any price increases following the Trump administration's tariff announcement. Garry has seen minor price changes but the store, which specializes in Caribbean and African products and produce, has absorbed some of the cost to stay competitive Advertisement 'I'm personally more worried about January when they cut the food stamps. You know, that's gonna be a wake-up call for a lot of people,' Garry said. Denise Korn, a South End resident who regularly shops at South End Food Emporium, said that she likes to buy her morning newspaper at the store, which serves a diverse community. As a first-generation American, Korn said that Trump's proposed tariffs will not serve the American people, especially those struggling with food insecurity. 'There are unforeseen consequences to people that are already struggling with putting food on the table,' Korn said. The tariff threat alone is a harsh symptom of the political and economic unpredictability Trump wields, said Clemons, the chief investment strategist. The same uncertainty that will cause moms to stress about bills will also prevent business owners from investing in new capital, he said. 'It makes it very difficult to plan,' Clemons said. 'What I worry about is that if you aggregate all of those spending decisions, or more precisely, non-spending decisions, you wind up with a recipe for an economic slowdown.' Santiago said her two-income household will probably be able to handle grocery price increases with only a bit of economic discomfort. She already uses services like Misfits Markets, paying less for oddly shaped fruits. Her corner of JP is vulnerable to a more unique economic slowdown ‐ one where neighborly generosity is taxed at a higher rate, she said. When Santiago had the flu in February, Pimentel Market cashier Juan Campos gave her a shot of his herbal brew made with raw vegetables. He also recently shared the drink with cooks at a nearby restaurant, who all came down with the same illness. Advertisement 'I'm just thinking of how this could influence someone who does something out of the kindness of their heart,' she said. Claire Thornton can be reached at
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Can Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY) Provide Stable Long-Term Income?
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) is included among the 10 Best Passive Income Stocks to Buy Now. A pharmacy shelves stocked with pharmaceutical drugs awaiting distribution. On June 17, the company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.62 per share, which was consistent with its previous dividend. Overall, it has raised its payouts for 16 consecutive years and has delivered uninterrupted payouts for 93 years in a row. The stock offers a dividend yield of 5.2%, as of July 10. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY)'s cash position remained strong in the first quarter of 2025. The company ended the quarter with $10.8 billion available in cash and cash equivalents, up from $10.3 billion at the end of December 2024. Its Q1 revenue of $11.2 billion, though down by 5.6% on a YoY basis, beat analyst estimates by $494.6 million. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) is an American multinational pharmaceutical company that specializes in developing and delivering innovative medicines. The stock has surged by 16% in the past 12 months. While we acknowledge the potential of BMY as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data


Time Business News
39 minutes ago
- Time Business News
Paylaterr Launches Innovative Platform for Responsible Buy Now, Pay Later for Bills
In today's fast-paced world, managing household bills and expenses requires more financial flexibility than ever. Unfortunately, not all financial solutions prioritize long-term user well-being. That's where Paylaterr comes in. With its newly launched platform, Paylaterr is redefining how Americans manage everyday bills through smart, transparent, and responsible Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services. Paylaterr is a forward-thinking financial services platform that empowers consumers to handle short-term financial needs by spreading out bill payments, without the risks associated with traditional loans or credit cards. Unlike typical lenders, Paylaterr focuses on ethical, flexible BNPL for bills that come with no hidden fees and clear repayment terms. This platform raises the bar in the BNPL space by prioritizing responsible use and financial wellness. 1. Transparent Payment Options Users can split payments for utility bills, emergency expenses, or services into manageable parts, with complete clarity. There are no surprise fees, and all terms are disclosed upfront. 2. Personalized Plans Using smart financial tech, Paylaterr creates custom BNPL plans based on each user's unique financial situation. This promotes realistic repayment schedules and avoids overextension. 3. Simple Application Process With a fast, user-friendly interface, consumers can apply online and get decisions within minutes, perfect for busy users needing quick solutions. 4. Responsible BNPL Experience Beyond just payment splitting, Paylaterr integrates educational tools and budgeting resources to help users build smarter financial habits. The US has witnessed a surge in BNPL popularity, but also growing concerns about overspending and a lack of transparency. Paylaterr solves these challenges by ensuring: Users only take on payments they can manage. Every repayment term is clear and simple. Financial education is integrated into the platform. By aligning convenience with responsibility, Paylaterr is promoting healthier financial decisions in American households. Unlike typical BNPL companies that focus on retail shopping, Paylaterr is tailored for real-life needs like bills, rent, and emergency costs. Clarity: Easy-to-understand repayment plans. Support: Friendly, US-based customer service. Technology: AI-driven approvals for fairness and accuracy. Wellness Tools: Budgeting and credit-building features included. Whether you're paying off utilities, dealing with an unexpected charge, or planning a big expense, Paylaterr helps you move forward on your own schedule. It's designed for the modern American who values both flexibility and financial control. As the financial landscape evolves, platforms like Paylaterr are shaping the next generation of responsible, everyday-use BNPL tools. Rather than pushing debt, Paylaterr empowers people with flexibility, education, and trust. Paylaterr's launch signals a major shift in how Buy Now, Pay Later should be used as a tool for managing real expenses, not encouraging impulse purchases. For US consumers seeking a smarter, more ethical BNPL solution, Paylaterr is more than just an option; it's a better way to pay bills. TIME BUSINESS NEWS