Soria Apartments (formerly Frenchtown Road) is a 63-unit new construction, mixed-income housing development in East Greenwich being developed by Pennrose, and co-owned by Pennrose and Cove Homes Inc. The development is structured as a twinning 9% / 4% LIHTC project; the 4% LIHTC project consists of 30 units and the 9% LIHTC project consists of 33 units. Eight Section 8 Project Based Vouchers from the East Greenwich Housing Authority for each LIHTC project and eight 811 vouchers will support the 30% AMI units, with additional income tiers at 60% AMI (24) and 60-120% AMI (13).
The project will follow sustainable, Universal Design principles and include on-site supportive services and programming – while it is not age-restricted, the development will focus on services for elderly and disabled populations who may struggle to find stable rental housing options in East Greenwich. Through several community-based service providers, Soria Apartments will provide case management, coordinate free/low-cost food deliveries and transportation, plan wellness activities, provide volunteer and employment options, establish engaging resident programming that encourages physical activity and community, and many other initiatives that will support resident health and well-being.
The Soria development will target Energy Star, National Grid Tier II, and Zero Energy Ready Homes standards. It is also an example of low-impact site design, minimizing site grading and incorporating sustainable civil and landscaping principles. Several parking spaces will utilize permeable pavers, and native planting without irrigation will support effective stormwater management on site. Furthermore, the secure bike storage planned provides car-free, active transportation options for future residents. The four-story building incorporates resilient materials and thoughtful design principles an efficient, durable, and affordable building, and on-site management and maintenance staff will provide stewardship of the physical structure for the long term. Solar PV and additional renewable sources will cover the common area energy usage for the 9% LIHTC component of the building, further reducing its carbon footprint.
The foremost objective of the Frenchtown Road Apartments development is to provide quality affordable housing to populations with few housing options in East Greenwich and surrounding Rhode Island communities. With the rising costs of housing and lack of local affordable rental options, low- and moderate-income households are struggling to find stable homes in Town. Senior and disabled populations have an especially hard time finding accessible, affordable housing on the market, due to both the slow rate of new construction and the need for these residents to receive services on site (e.g., case management, wellness and physical therapies, programming, and community-based activities).
Frenchtown Road Apartments will also contribute to the broader East Greenwich community, helping the Town get closer to their goal of 10% affordable units (currently at 4.6%). With minimal affordable rental options, many residents of East Greenwich and surrounding communities may want to 1) downsize from a larger single-family home, so they can comfortably age in place, and 2) secure safer, more affordable rental housing that better meets their physical needs. The Market Analysis included in this application indicates a pervasive need for this type of housing; East Greenwich has made little progress towards their housing production goals, and Frenchtown Road Apartments will move the dial closer to 10% and align this Town with broader state housing priorities.