After protesting Rhode Island Housing‘s tour of Barbara Jordan II for developers, investors and contractors in the morning, DARE (Direct Action for Rights and Equality) followed up by attending Rhode Island Housing’s Q&A session for developers, investors and contractors interested in submitting bids per a posted RFP (Request for Proposals).

DARE is demanding that at least three members of the low0income tenant community sit on the panel that reviews the RFPs being submitted from the contractors.

DARE had not intended to attend the Q&A but the group was invited inside, where there was air conditioning and cold water available to attendees. Less than half of those who did the tour in the morning were in attendance at the Q&A.

The meeting was emceed by Rhode Island Housing’s Eric Shorter, but the question and answer period as dominated by Carla DeStefano, Executive Director of SWAP (Stop Wasting Abandoned Property). DeStefano had a litany of problems with the RFP and pushed Rhode Island Housing personnel for more details. Much of the discussion was beyond my understanding of housing developer tax breaks, but here’s the video:

Here’s a handout Rhode Island Housing made available that talks about Barbara Jordan II from the perspective of trying to sell the project to developers:

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