Photo by Steve Klamkin, WPRO News
WPRO News
Longtime Executive Director of Rhode Island Housing, Richard Godfrey, announced he was stepping down from the agency after twenty years of service.
According to a press release, Godfrey’s contract was set to expire in April and he had already expressed a desire it not to be renewed. After discussion with Governor Gina Raimdono’s transition team, Godfrey decided to step down earlier.
“We mutually decided it was time for him to move on,” said Governor Gina Raimondo.
“I’m grateful to him for his service and it’s time to move forward.”
The agency has had a troubled year with Godfrey at the helm. Last December a scandal erupted after Deputy Director Gayle Corrigan was fired over exposing the mismanagement of Safe Haven in Pawtucket. Most recently, RI Housing was asked to pay substantial sum of money to the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development over the fallout from the Safe Haven scandal.
RI Housing has already announced an interim Executive Director to fill Godfrey’s shoes; Barbra Fields, who served as regional director for HUD, managing six New England States.
“She has a long and fantastic track record of affordable housing development, community development, and economic development,” said Raimondo.
Godfrey had been with the agency since 1993.
