Reparations in Providence moving forward. Here is what is happening.

Mayor Brett Smiley is sticking to the $10 million reparations budget established by his predecessor after a line-by-line review. Though a sizable chunk of the funds will now be administered by United Way.

“Through the review, lines were analyzed by their original intent, total funding allocated and whether the benefits of a current program or initiative could be maximized through additional funding,” the city said in a statement Thursday. “It was determined many of the funding totals were not enough to deliver what was outlined in the ordinance.”

More:Elorza signs Providence’s $10M reparations budget. Here’s what’s in it

As a result, the city is allocating more reparations funding to United Way – which had already been a partner in the reparations process – so that it can help manage more line items in the budget. In total, the organization’s reparations funding increased from $1.75 million to $3.35 million.

What will the Providence reparations funding be used for?

Funding for all of the programs identified in the budget will remain the same, though United Way will help manage them.

Those programs include a new policy and research center, K-12 history curriculums confronting New England’s slaveholding past, a grant program for neighborhoods impacted by urban renewal, and more.

More:PVD’s reparations: National model or ‘trivialized’ budget line that won’t create change?

“United Way is a trusted community partner taking meaningful steps to close local equity gaps,” Smiley said. “Over the coming months and years, we look forward to working with them to ensure each of these programs have the positive impact the Providence Municipal Reparations Commission intended them to have within our community.”

The city will be responsible for administering the remaining $6.3 million in reparations funding. So far, only $275,000 has been spent.

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