Godfrey retiring from Rhode Island Housing

RICHARD GODFREY, longtime executive director of Rhode Island Housing Corp., will retire Jan. 31. / COURTESY RHODE ISLAND HOUSING CORP.
RICHARD GODFREY, longtime executive director of Rhode Island Housing Corp., will retire Jan. 31. / COURTESY RHODE ISLAND HOUSING CORP.

PROVIDENCE – Richard Godfrey, executive director of Rhode Island Housing Corp., will retire Jan. 31.

Godfrey, who has been with the organization for more than 20 years, told the agency chairman, Andrew Cortés, that his contract should not be considered for renewal. It was set to expire April 30.
Cortés and Gov. Gina M. Raimondo’s transition team mutually agreed to advance Godfrey’s departure in order to expedite training of the new interim director, Barbara G. Fields.
Fields was most recently the regional administrator for the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, responsible for New England. Fields is one of 10 administrators appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as a liaison between the federal government and state/local officials.
“Richard’s knowledge of housing and housing finance and his passion for helping others will be difficult to replace,” Cortés said in a statement. “However, a great team remains in place and I am confident that the great work of Rhode Island Housing will continue unabated.”
Under Godfrey’s leadership, Rhode Island Housing expanded its services, facilitated urban development and worked to end homelessness. In 2013 alone, the agency invested nearly $367 million in the state, which provided services to thousands of Rhode Island families.
Some of Rhode Island Housing’s most notable contributions within the past two decades include investing in the Crossroads RI building, as well as the Amos House building in Providence. The agency also funded renovations for three historic buildings in Downcity Providence and worked to transform depressed neighborhoods such as the Barton Street community in Pawtucket and Constitution Hill in Woonsocket.
“It has been my pleasure and honor to serve the people of Rhode Island for more than 20 years,” said Godfrey in a statement. “I have been extremely fortunate to work with outstanding board members, incredible staff and hundreds of compassionate, creative and effective community partners and businesses.”

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