PROVIDENCE, RI, MARCH 8, 2022 – Providence Housing Authority (PHA), the largest provider of affordable housing in Rhode Island and a leader in resident services, was recently awarded a $175,000 Housing for Everyone grant from the TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®. PHA is one of 33 organizations selected from more than 357 applicants to receive a Housing for Everyone grant as part of the TD Charitable Foundation’s annual grant program helping to provide affordable housing since 2005.
The grant will support the PHA’s new Housing Preservation Response Program, a program that will deliver housing retention services to high-need PHA public housing tenants at risk of eviction and homelessness due to the expiration of the federal eviction moratorium. The TD Charitable Foundation grant will expand the Resident Services Department’s capacity to deliver wrap-around services, including employment and job placement, financial counseling, mental and behavioral health, and victim support services. Our goal is to stabilize tenants and increase long-term housing retention and economic stability over time.

The housing affordability crisis has worsened over the past two years impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and housing organizations have worked tirelessly to meet the increasing need for assistance from individuals and families. The growing need for assistance has strained affordable housing organizations and made it difficult to continue delivering critical resources and services.
Without resident services from affordable housing providers, like eviction assistance and housing search assistance, many individuals and families will struggle to find or risk losing a safe, affordable place to call home.

“PHA is committed to assist our residents to preserve their housing through a hands-on approach and strong resident services component,” said Melissa Sanzaro, Executive Director of the Providence Housing Authority. “We are extremely grateful to TD Charitable Foundation for their generous support of our community and for recognizing the importance and timeliness of this work.”

“We’ve seen an increased need for assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly when it comes to helping people find an affordable place to call home. In response, the staff at PHA stepped up to meet that need and have worked tirelessly to make sure support and resources are available to those who need them the most. With the support from the TD Charitable Foundation, PHA will be able to continue to provide and expand the services and support that help people find a safe, affordable place to call home and feel more confident about their future,” said Steve Webb, Regional President for Southern New England at TD Bank.

The TD Charitable Foundation awarded $5.8 million through the 16th annual Housing for Everyone grant competition to a total of 33 organizations across TD Bank’s Maine-to-Florida footprint and Michigan to help support affordable housing organizations provide critical resident services. Since 2005, the TD Charitable Foundation has given more than $42 million dollars to non-profit and charitable organizations through the Housing for Everyone grant competition and helped support over 500 affordable housing projects and initiatives.
The Housing for Everyone grant competition supports TD’s longstanding commitment to community enrichment through TD’s corporate citizenship platform, The Ready Commitment , which actively promotes inclusivity, economic vitality and environmental wellbeing, enabling people of all backgrounds to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

To learn more about Housing for Everyone and for a full list of this year’s grant recipients, please visit https://www.td.com/us/en/about-us/communities/ready-commitment/funding-opportunities/housing-for-everyone/

###

About Providence Housing Authority
Founded in 1939, the Providence Housing Authority (PHA) provides and develops quality and safe affordable housing opportunities and services to address the needs of Rhode Island residents. We are committed to the core values of excellence, accountability, innovation, respect, and equity in all that we do.

Today, the PHA provides affordable housing to more than 12,000 residents in the City of Providence. PHA operates 2,606 public housing units and administers more than 2,700 tenant-based and project-based Section 8 vouchers which allow low-income families to rent in the private market. PHA hosts a variety of support programs to help our residents and participants meet their wellness, financial, and employment goals no matter what their age or ability. The PHA is a quasi-governmental organization, governed by a Board of Commissioners appointed by the Mayor and Providence City Council, and led by an Executive Director who reports to the Board.

About Housing for Everyone

Since inception in 2005, the TD Charitable Foundation’s annual Housing for Everyone grant competition has awarded more than $42 million to over 500 affordable housing initiatives. The Housing for Everyone grant competition supports TD’s longstanding commitment to community enrichment through TD’s corporate citizenship platform, The Ready Commitment, which actively promotes inclusivity, economic vitality and environmental wellbeing, enabling people of all backgrounds to succeed in a rapidly changing world. As part of The Ready Commitment, TD targets US $775 million in total contributions toward community giving by 2030 in four critical areas: Financial Security, a more Vibrant Planet, Connected Communities and Better Health.

Through this platform, TD aspires to create a more inclusive tomorrow — helping people of all backgrounds feel more confident, not just about their finances, but about their ability to achieve their goals. Visit: https://www.tdbank.com/corporate-responsibility/the-ready-commitment/

About the TD Charitable Foundation

The TD Charitable Foundation is the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, one of the 10 largest commercial banking organizations in the United States. Since its inception in 2002, the Foundation has distributed over $282 million through donations to local nonprofits from Maine to Florida. More information on the TD Charitable Foundation is available at https://www.tdbank.com/corporate-responsibility/the-ready-commitment/funding-opportunities/.