Pawtucket Citizens Development wins<br> 2007 Housing Heroes Award

PROVIDENCE – The Pawtucket Citizens Development Corporation (PCDC) yesterday was named the winner of the 2007 Citizens Bank Housing Heroes Award, Citizens Bank of Rhode Island Chairman, President and CEO Joseph J. MarcAurele announced.
The group was honored for its Littlefield Commons Project, which transformed a run-down Victorian mansion in Pawtucket into five units of affordable housing, and for its 17-year history of excellence in developing affordable housing.
“Citizens Bank recognizes the critical need for affordable housing in the state and we are pleased to celebrate the impact that non-profit developers, such as PCDC, are making in the lives of Rhode Island residents,” MarcAurele said.
Along with the award, the PCDC will receive a grant a $50,000 grant from the Citizens Bank Foundation, $10,000 of which is designated for resident related program, and the opportunity to tap the expertise of Citizens Bank’s CEO through the President to President program. The group said the $10,000 would be used to purchase playground equipment for Littlefield Commons’ younger residents, and to work with older youths to in a property beautification project that will include planting flowers in large planters on the property’s porches.
“We will use the resources that this award brings to further our housing production goal of creating 100 new units of affordable housing in Pawtucket,” said PCDC Executive Director Nancy Whit. “We are grateful to Citizens Bank for this recognition and for its efforts to support and promote affordable housing throughout Rhode Island.”
The Housing Heroes program spotlight developments that demonstrate innovation, effective use of resources, fiscal responsibility, leadership in creating affordable housing and a comprehensive approach to community development. It is an extension of the Citizens Housing Bank, a low-interest loan program designed to increase the region’s affordable housing supply.
Additional information about Citizens Bank of Rhode Island and its Housing Heroes program is available at www.citizensbank.com.
Information about the Pawtucket Community Development Program, established in 1990, and its programs can be found at www.pawtucketcdc.com.