Is Rhode Island's Housing Agency Doing Enough?

A Closer Look at Spending

A Republican leader in Rhode Island's House of Representatives is advocating for a thorough examination of the state's housing finance agency's expenditures. He suspects potential overlaps with another agency and aims to ensure fiscal responsibility.

The Proposal

The leader, known for advocating smaller government, has requested a performance audit. He emphasizes that the goal is not to assign blame but to verify the agency's effectiveness. He argues that current audits only confirm proper spending, not optimal spending.

Agency's Response

The head of RIHousing, the state's housing agency, defends their work, highlighting their role in home purchases, affordable housing financing, and rental assistance. She states that about one in ten households in Rhode Island has benefited from their programs. She describes the agency as efficient, transparent, and crucial during the housing crisis.

Concerns Raised

The Republican leader remains skeptical, questioning the agency's transparency regarding new housing creation funded by federal money. He alleges that some projects labeled as "new development" include both new construction and rehabilitation work. He also doubts the audits' ability to assess project cost-effectiveness and strategic use of funds.

Next Steps

Proposing an outside firm to conduct the performance audit, the leader acknowledges the state auditor's office's workload. While the cost is uncertain, he believes the audit is worthwhile.

At a recent meeting, the leader did not call for a vote but hopes the committee will consider his proposal at their next meeting. He insists that this is not a political maneuver but a genuine effort to improve the agency.

The Democratic head of the committee urged both sides to communicate before the next meeting, promising a fair review and expressing concern about taxpayer dollars.