Rhode Island Housing and KeepSpace Communities: Working together to bring you home
Q. How can I provide input on what I think is important to a community?

A. No one knows what’s best for Rhode Island communities better than the people who live and work here. All Rhode Islanders are invited to share their thoughts and suggestions for what they would want to see in their communities by visiting www.keepspace.org or by calling Amy Rainone at 401 457-1256.

Q. Will tax dollars be used to fund KeepSpace?

A. In working to leverage greater funding for these developments, KeepSpace will make use of applicable and appropriate federal and public funding mechanisms, including grants and tax credits designed to promote neighborhood revitalization, comprehensive community redevelopment and affordable homes.

Q. What is Rhode Island Housing’s role in KeepSpace?

A. The founding partner of KeepSpace, Rhode Island Housing has allocated $10 million to support the development of the first 3-5 KeepSpace Communities. The investment will be a catalyst to leverage additional funding sources. The agency is forming long-term partnerships to support the goals of KeepSpace and its commitment to building and preserving a Rhode Island in which families can thrive, children can learn and grow, and communities can prosper.

Q. What specific issues will KeepSpace address?

A. KeepSpace will promote development practices that preserve and enhance as much open space as possible, helping to create a Rhode Island where more families can thrive, children can learn and grow, and communities can prosper.

Equally important are the creation of communities that include good-paying jobs, homes that are safe and affordable and infrastructure that supports our homes and commerce.

KeepSpace does not expect to tackle equally critical issues outside the physical realm such as social services, education and tax structures. However, the way we build can also dramatically impact the health and quality of our lives, and the cost of providing and maintaining essential infrastructure such as water, sewer, transportation and utilities.

Q. How will KeepSpace address growing concerns about loss of forests and lack of open space?

A. If growth trends in Rhode Island continue at the current pace, the state will soon lead the nation in forest loss and lack of open space. One of KeepSpace’s primary objectives is to promote development practices that preserve and enhance as much open space as possible while revitializing underutilized or poorly developed areas. At the same time, solutions are desperately needed to face the state’s growing housing crisis in a way that supports safe, healthy homes, a sound economy, sustainable infrastructure and a better environment. The KeepSpace initiative is designed to balance each of these vital concerns in a complementary and cooperative way.

Q. Are all KeepSpace Communities environmentally friendly? What is meant by “green” development?

A. Environmental preservation and enhancement through low impact construction and energy-efficient structures are major elements of KeepSpace. The KeepSpace name emphasizes the preservation of our natural environment. However, the natural environment will have equal standing with many other critical elements towards the creation of a state in which families can thrive, children can learn and grow, and communities can prosper. Such critical elements include affordable homes and economic development. Several organizations have missions more directly linked to “green” development. KeepSpace will not duplicate these efforts, but such standards and recommendations can be tools within the KeepSpace inter-disciplinary and cooperative approach to development.

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