Out and About in RI: More than 150 Kickoff Summer at Newport Heights

Resident event highlighted neighborhood connection, community pride, and the future preservation of Newport Heights

More than 150 residents, families, project partners, and state and local elected officials gathered at Newport Heights on Saturday for “Summer Kickoff,” a resident event celebrating neighborhood connections and the community’s next chapter.

Newport Heights residents and guests spent the afternoon enjoying food, music, games, and family activities. Organizers said the event reflected the strong sense of pride and connection that has continued to define Newport Heights over the last two decades.

Originally redeveloped through the federal HOPE VI program, Newport Heights transformed the former Tonomy Hill public housing development into a nationally recognized mixed-income community that improved neighborhood safety, expanded housing opportunities, and helped reconnect residents to the broader Newport community. Today, Newport Heights includes 299 apartments and remains one of Rhode Island’s most significant affordable housing redevelopment success stories.

The event also provided an opportunity to celebrate the future of Newport Heights as Trinity Financial and the Housing Authority of the City of Newport (HACN) advanced a capital improvements initiative for the property. Earlier this spring, Newport Heights Phase 1 received preliminary approval for funding from RI Housing and the State of Rhode Island to support modernization and preservation work for the first 81 apartments completed during the property’s initial redevelopment.

“Newport Heights demonstrates what long-term investment in affordable housing can accomplish,” said Deborah Goddard, Secretary of Housing for the State of Rhode Island. “The proposed rehabilitation will preserve these homes for current residents while ensuring that this important community remains a stable and affordable housing resource for Newport families for decades to come.”

The planned Phase 1 improvements will include upgrades to apartment bathrooms, kitchen appliances, and building systems, along with exterior improvements, including new windows, siding, and roofing designed to preserve the long-term quality and affordability of the property. Trinity Financial and HACN are also pursuing HUD RAD/Section 18 conversion resources and additional financing tools to support further investment and long-term stability at Newport Heights. The rehabilitation work is expected to be completed while residents remain in their homes, minimizing disruption to families throughout the renovation process.

“Preserving affordable housing means investing not only in buildings, but in the people and neighborhoods they serve,” said Carol Ventura, CEO & Executive Director of RIHousing. “We are proud to support the next phase of investment that will extend the life of Newport Heights while preserving its affordability for future generations.”

“It’s wonderful to see how transformative Newport Heights has been, not only for the North End of Newport, but for the entire city,” said Rhonda Mitchell, Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Newport. “Just over 20 years ago, the Housing Authority began its community revitalization partnership with Trinity Financial. Since then, we have preserved nearly 600 affordable homes through Newport Heights and our ongoing work at Park Holm. We are excited to partner with Trinity once again to ensure families can continue to enjoy safe, quality, affordable housing in this great community for many years to come.”

The preservation planning process has included in-person and virtual resident meetings and ongoing communication to ensure residents remain informed about the proposed improvements and anticipated timeline.

“As both a Newport Heights resident and the First Ward Councilor, it was wonderful to see so many neighbors, families, state officials, and community partners come together for this celebration,” said Ellen Pinnock, First Ward Councilor for the City of Newport. “Newport Heights is more than housing—it’s a community. The planned investments will help preserve the homes residents rely on while continuing to strengthen the connections and sense of belonging that make this neighborhood such a special place to live.”

For Trinity Financial, the resident event and capital investments represent two sides of the same mission: investing in both housing and the resident experience.

“Newport Heights has always been about more than housing — it’s about creating a place where people want to live and stay,” said Eva Erlich, Vice President, Development at Trinity Financial. “Seeing so many residents and families come together showed the strong sense of pride and connection that continues to make Newport Heights special.”

Jeannine Gonzales has lived at Newport Heights since 2017 after relocating from the former Park Holm community. She said the welcoming atmosphere and strong sense of neighborliness are what make Newport Heights feel like home.

“What I love most about Newport Heights is the sense of community,” said Gonzales. “Whether I’m walking my dog or attending a resident event, people always take the time to say hello. The staff truly care about residents, and events like the Summer Kickoff are a great way to bring neighbors together.”

“The Summer Kickoff picnic was a great opportunity for residents and families to enjoy time together and connect with our property management team,” said Kate Dyl, Property Manager at Trinity Management.

About Newport Heights

Newport Heights is a 299-unit mixed-income rental community located in Newport’s North End. Developed by Trinity Financial and the Housing Authority of the City of Newport (HACN), the community transformed the former Tonomy Hill public housing development through a multi-phase redevelopment effort funded in part through the federal HOPE VI program.

Completed between 2003 and 2006, the approximately $74 million redevelopment replaced distressed public housing with newly constructed mixed-income apartments, improved streets and infrastructure, and new community spaces designed to reconnect the neighborhood to the broader Newport community.

Today, Newport Heights remains one of Rhode Island’s most significant affordable housing redevelopment success stories and has received national recognition for community revitalization, energy-efficient design, and mixed-income housing development. 

About Trinity Financial

Founded in 1987, Trinity is a community-driven, diverse team of real estate professionals with a proven track record of developing urban sites from New York to Greater Boston. The company has the unique ability to complete complex, mixed-use projects overseeing all aspects of real estate – from finance to development to property management – on urban sites, especially those challenged by politics, infrastructure, environment, or market profile. Trinity’s work spans half a dozen residential and commercial specialties, from multi-family housing to transit-oriented development. With more than $3 billion in transformative development work, it has a reputation for delivering high-quality multifamily projects resulting in a stronger urban fabric – with a commitment to people, place, and partners. Trinity’s property management company, Trinity Management, was founded in 2012 and embodies an unparalleled commitment to residents and employees, enhancing communities and upholding a culture of outstanding quality, outside-the-box thinking, and diversity. For more information about Trinity Financial please visit www.trinityfinancial.com.