Justice Assistance Makes First Renters’ Wealth Fund Distribution Through Providence Equity Fund Investment

‍ Providence, R.I. (July 7, 2026) – The Providence Equity Fund, established by the City of Providence to address long‑standing equity gaps across the community and managed by United Way of RI, continues to generate meaningful impact for residents. On July 1, 2026, Justice Assistance made its inaugural distribution from the Renters’ Wealth Fund at the Smith Hill Library, supporting the financial empowerment of more than 45 residents across 33 apartments.

The evening was paired with additional financial empowerment resources, which included staff assistance from United Way’s Financial Empowerment Center to provide tenants with individualized guidance and assistance. The evening concluded with the Capital Good Fund hosting its third financial workshop of the year for Smith Hill residents.

“At Justice Assistance, we believe stable housing should be a foundation for opportunity, not just a place to live,” said Jacob Bissaillon, Chief Executive Officer of Justice Assistance. “The Renters’ Wealth Fund turns that belief into practice by allowing residents to share in the value they help create through affordable housing. This first distribution is an important milestone for our residents and for Smith Hill, and we are grateful to the Providence Equity Fund, United Way of Rhode Island, and the City of Providence for helping make it possible.”

The Providence Equity Fund was created to support strategies that advance racial and social equity, economic mobility, and educational opportunity. Justice Assistance was awarded $100,000 in 2024 through the fund to support residents in the Smith Hill neighborhood, an investment the organization has been actively growing and deploying over the past two years.

"As housing has become a national challenge facing cities across the country, Providence has remained focused on tangible, long-term solutions that directly benefit our neighbors," said Mayor Brett P. Smiley. "Through strategic investments, my administration has supported programs like the Justice Assistance Renters’ Wealth Fund, which has directly invested in residents, strengthened neighborhoods and has advanced economic mobility since 2024. In focusing on closing the racial wealth gap, this work helps address historic inequalities while building up a stronger, more resilient Providence."

In February 2025, Justice Assistance became the owner of 33 units of affordable housing across twelve properties in Providence’s Smith Hill neighborhood. The acquisition was part of Habitat for Justice, the organization’s broader effort to create a closed-end ecosystem of support for justice-involved individuals and families by removing housing barriers, reinvesting in historically marginalized neighborhoods, and directing economic opportunity to those with lived experience. Through this model, Justice Assistance not only preserves affordable housing, but also intentionally builds partnerships with employers, contractors, service providers, and vendors to ensure that the benefits of this work extend beyond housing stability and into long-term community wealth, employment, and reinvestment.

Justice Assistance then established the Renters’ Wealth Fund, which is designed to return value directly to the residents of these 33 low- and moderate-income apartments. Under the program, 15 percent of the net operating income from the portfolio will be deposited into the Renters’ Wealth Fund. Distributions will be made to residents on an annual basis, allowing them to share in the economic return generated by the portfolio while creating a practical wealth-generation vehicle and financial empowerment tool for the families who call these apartments home.

"This program is a powerful example of what can happen when we think creatively about how to support families beyond traditional assistance," said Cortney Nicolato, president and CEO of United Way of RI. “Justice Assistance has turned routine rent payments into an opportunity for residents to strengthen their financial footing while at the same maintaining safe, affordable housing. As the steward of the Providence Equity Fund, United Way is proud to support community-driven solutions that advance economic mobility and empower our neighbors to invest in themselves and their future.”

"At Capital Good Fund, we believe that access to financial coaching empowers individuals and families to build stronger financial futures," said Janet Benitez, CFSW, Director of Financial Coaching at Capital Good Fund. "We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with organizations that share our commitment to expanding financial wellness and creating lasting impact in the communities we serve."

As part of its broader investment in Smith Hill, Justice Assistance also partnered with Capital Good Fund to host a year‑long series of Financial Empowerment Workshops at the Smith Hill Library. Additionally, tenants have access to Justice Assistance’s full range of services, including wraparound supports through its CORES program, and behavioral health and primary care services through its JA Health & Wellness.

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