JOIN ACD FOR OUR DECEMBER CORE COMMUNITY CONVERSATION WITH JASON TERRELL MINTER OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3 at 1:00 PM EST
Renter Wealth Fund: Hacking Housing to Narrow the Racial Wealth Gap
Together we will discuss barriers to building wealth within marginalized communities, examine one proposal to do so with low-income renters, and brainstorm equitable rules for implementation.
About Justice Assistance
Justice Assistance (JA) has provided supportive services to justice involved individuals since 1978. JA’s approach to serving the justice-involved includes both defendants and victims.
Habitat for Justice (HFJ) is a critical program within JA that focuses on developing affordable housing and building career opportunities for justice-involved individuals. Specifically, this work includes new construction and acquisition/rehab of underutilized properties. We partner with RI Housing and local municipalities to make these homes affordable and accessible to justice-involved Rhode Islanders. We also ensure our client’s participation in the building trades by requiring justice-involved apprenticeships on any construction contract we sign.
Housing
In 2025, Justice Assistance will become the stewards of affordable housing units through a scattered site acquisition in Providence, Rhode Island. These units will be affordable to renters who earn 60% Area Median Income (AMI) or less. Priority will be given to Justice Assistance clients as units become available.
Workforce Development
With the support of a federal grant, Justice Assistance will complete $380,000 worth of repairs to affordable housing in Rhode Island. Community benefits agreements between Justice Assistance and our contractors will require a certain percentage of work to be completed by justice-involved individuals. This will result in on-the-job training and direct earnings of more than $50,000 for justice-involved individuals.
Renter Wealth Fund
The Renter Wealth Fund is a trust fund opened on behalf of renters within JA’s affordable developments. The City of Providence has committed to investing $50,000 per year for two years into this account. This investment is administered by the United Way of Rhode Island through the Providence Equity Fund. In addition, 15% of the
annual cash flow from our properties will be invested in the RWF. Although the RWF is intended to grow in perpetuity, residents will have annual opportunities to draw down portions of the RWF for the following uses:
- Downpayment Assistance and Closing Costs
- Retirement Contributions
- High-Interest Debt
- Medical Bills
- Education
About Jason Terrell Minter, Housing Director
jminter@justiceassistance.org
Jason Terrell Minter serves as the Housing Director at Justice Assistance. He is focused on developing affordable housing, employing justice-involved individuals in critically needed building repairs, and building intergenerational wealth within marginalized communities.
Jason comes to Justice Assistance with 10+ years of experience in affordable housing development. He earned a Master of Architecture from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Science in Design from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Jason is also an Association of Community Design Board Member and Leadership RI Alumnus.
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