Council backs $750,000 CDBG request to preserve Mumford Manor senior housing

The Newport City Council voted to support a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application from Church Community Housing seeking $750,000 to rehabilitate Mumford Manor, a 34-unit affordable senior housing property at 39 Farewell Street.

Bob Plaine, a trustee and CDBG correspondent for Church Community Housing, told the council the request is part of the program’s non-competitive affordable housing round. Plaine said the preservation project will address life-safety and building-envelope work and that city staff would manage the application and grant administration if the council authorized the resolution.

Steve Osterguy, a developer on the project, said the full cost is expected to exceed $16,000,000. He described a financing plan combining low-income housing tax credits, historic tax credits (because the property is historic), amortizing debt, and several soft second loans that Rhode Island Housing administers. Osterguy said the applicants applied in February and expect to hear on state funding decisions this fall; construction would likely begin after Jan. 1 if funding is secured.

Council members sought assurances on displacement. Staff and project representatives said the effort is a preservation of existing senior units and that residents would not be displaced as part of the redevelopment. After public comment and questions, the council closed the hearing and adopted the accompanying resolution supporting the application and authorizing city staff to manage the grant process.

The council’s action was procedural support for the application; any award of CDBG funds and final project approvals will depend on subsequent administrative and state-level decisions.