EP woman gets affordable home through city’s lottery program

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Christmas came early for one East Providence woman as she was handed the keys to a newly-renovated home Monday.

Julia Dempsey was chosen through East Providence’s affordable housing lottery to move into the house on Payette Street on January 1. The one-bedroom home has new floors, windows, and kitchen appliances. 

“It feels good to know that I can move out and live on my own and not be in an apartment complex and just, it feels like I own my own home even though I’m renting,” said Dempsey.

The 51-year-old Riverside native currently rents an apartment, but she most recently lived in Florida with her mom, until things took a turn six years ago.

“She passed away and everything went bad after that. Losing my mom, I was really depressed.”

Dempsey decided to move back to East Providence in 2018. She applied for the lottery after seeing a sign in the library.

“The city’s the landlord and she’s our newest tenant. We thought it was the epitome of the holiday spirit,” said David Bachrach from the East Providence Community Development Office.

The city said the lottery is open for anyone to apply, but they choose from the veteran pool of applicants first. The veteran they chose declined the offer, so Dempsey got lucky.

“David said, ‘Well, there’s someone ahead of you. If he doesn’t take it, you’ll be the next one to get it.’ So Friday he called me and I got it!”

Dempsey will pay rent at a low cost to the city and can stay in the home as long as she wants. The project was funded through the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department through the Community Block Grant Program.

“I’m getting a single-family one-bedroom house with my own yard and my own driveway! I don’t ever feel like things happen like this for me, and it did, and it just is only gonna get better,” said Dempsey.

© WLNE-TV 2019