Abandoned home to be raffled off in EP

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- The American Dream may soon be much easier for somebody to attain, after East Providence has announced they'll be holding a lottery for an abandoned home.

The city recently bought and renovated the house, and the winner of the lottery will get to buy it at an affordable price.

The three bedroom home on Anthony Street had been foreclosed upon and has been sitting vacant for the past three years.

The idea is creating both a positive and a negative buzz among neighbors, some of which are just happy to see the eyesore taken care of.

"I didn't want to see this property sit vacant," said Community Development Coordinator David Bachrach. "Its roof was leaking, it was starting to get damaged inside, and the typical scenario, if it hasn't been on the market in a year, it's probably going to sit there."

Other neighbors are questioning why the city won't just sell it outright. With $110,000 in renovations invested, and the property will be sold for $130,000.

The first 40 applicants who qualify will go into the lottery. To qualify, you must:

• Have not owned any property for the past six months
• Have a gross household income up to 80 percent of median area income based on household size
• Have documentation of being pre-qualified for financing for a purchase price of $130,000

There are other terms and conditions that apply, contact the Community Development Division at (401) 435-7536.

The deadline for applications is December 14 at 4 p.m., and the drawing will be held during the December 18 city council meeting.

For an application and more information about the raffle, visit the city of East Providence's website.