BCBSRI Grants $740K to Improve Health Equity, Access to Stable Housing

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) is awarding $740,000 to 11 community-based organizations that address health inequities by improving access to stable housing.

The funding is part of the payer’s grant program BlueAngel Community Health Grants (BACHG), which has been in place for 20 years as of 2022.

“We’re thrilled to be celebrating 20 years of BlueAngel Community Health Grants and over $6 million invested across our state,” Martha Wofford, president and chief executive officer of BCBSRI, said in the press release. “Our community faces significant health-related needs and we’re proud to work with dedicated community partners who share our unwavering commitment to a healthier and more equitable Rhode Island.”

Five organizations were selected for funding in 2023 and will receive $335,000, while six organizations that were 2022 grant recipients will receive $405,000.

BCBSRI’s focus on housing stability stems from responses to the annual RI Life Index, which has revealed that access to safe, stable, affordable housing is a top concern for Rhode Island residents in nearly every community. In 2022, the score for affordable housing dropped from 40 to 33 out of 100 as inflation, high interest rates, and high rent impacted the state.

“While the housing scores from the 2022 RI Life Index were discouraging, they highlight the urgency of supporting organizations that are working proactively and effectively to develop housing solutions for Rhode Islanders,” said Carolyn Belisle, managing director of corporate social responsibility for BCBSRI.

“This year’s grantees shine a light on the needs of children and families to access safe and affordable housing. For Rhode Islanders in every community and every zip code, lack of access to affordable housing continues to be one of the most significant barriers to health and well-being.”

The grants in 2023 mark the fourth year that BCBSRI has invested in affordable housing through BACHG. Housing became the sole funding focus in 2019 and the payer has since granted $2.1 million to address housing instability.

Since BACHG was created in 2002, the payer has provided more than $6 million to local organizations, supporting more than 333,000 Rhode Islanders.

The five organizations receiving 2023 funding include Adoption Rhode Island in Providence, South Country Habitat for Humanity in Charlestown, Jonnycake Center for Hope in South Kingstown, West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation in Providence, and Westbay Community Action, Inc. in Warwick.

Adoption Rhode Island provides a youth development specialist at an affordable housing project for youth and young adults with past foster care experience. South County Habitat for Humanity and Jonnycake Center for Hope will use the funding to build or renovate homes for underserved and low-income families.

West Elmwood Housing Development Coordination plans to use the funding to increase homebuyer education and foreclosure prevention services for Spanish-speaking residents. Westbay Community Action, Inc. will use the grant to expand its Hoarding Intervention Response and Evaluation (HIRE) program, which helps prevent long-term health and safety hazards and evictions among those at-risk for or already engaging in hoarding behavior.

The six 2022 grant recipients receiving funding include DARE (Direct Action for Rights and Equality), Housing Network of Rhode Island, Neighbor Works Blackstone River Valley, ONE Neighborhood Builders, Pawtucket Central Falls Development, and Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness. These organizations applied for an additional year of funding after seeing successful performance outcomes in 2022.