RWU Welcomes HousingWorks RI to Providence Campus

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Roger Williams University recently welcomed affordable housing coalition HousingWorks RI to its Providence campus at 150 Washington Street, Suite 304. The move creates synergy between the strategic objectives of the University and the research, policy, and communications work of HousingWorks RI.

“The activities of HousingWorks RI offer a great complement to existing efforts at Roger Williams, including our Community Partnerships Center and our degree and certificate programs in community development,” said Peter Wilbur, RWU’s associate vice president of university relations. “From graduate assistants to undergrad internships to joint research projects, this collaboration comes with the potential for a variety of initiatives that will prove beneficial to both organizations.”

The partnership grew out of the long-standing, campus-wide commitment to the greater community valued at Roger Williams. The University maintains a wide array of partnerships and initiatives that extend beyond the borders of campus and engage faculty and student expertise on topics ranging from the marine environment, historic preservation and law to small business assistance, the arts, community development and more.

“Roger Williams University has an obvious commitment to helping Rhode Island, and HousingWorks RI is excited to partner with them in important policy discussions in our state, especially in the areas of affordable housing and the economy,” said Ian Lang, board chair of HousingWorks RI. “We are grateful to the University for providing space on their downtown campus that allows our staff to interact with scholars and strengthen the organization’s research, policy and communications work.”

In a news release announcing the relocation, HousingWorks RI acknowledged the early and continued support of The Rhode Island Foundation in fostering its growth and for the Foundation’s leadership in meeting the critical needs of the state. The organization also expressed appreciation for the financial support of The Rhode Island Foundation, Rhode Island Housing and United Way of Rhode Island, as well as recent contributions from Bank of America, Citizens Bank, Webster Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. The benefits of these funding partnerships provide HousingWorks RI the opportunity to advance its mission and engage more Rhode Islanders around the critical issue of affordable housing.

HousingWorks RI’s new address is 150 Washington St., Suite 304, Providence, RI 02903.  The new main telephone number is (401) 276-4806. Staff emails and the group’s website (www.HousingWorksRI.org) will remain unchanged.

About HousingWorks RI

HousingWorks RI is a coalition working to ensure that all Rhode Islanders have a quality, affordable home – an essential component of our state’s economy. HousingWorks RI taps the talents, experience, information, influence, networks and energies of more than 140 member organizations, institutions, corporations, agencies and advocates. HousingWorks RI members include banks, builders, chambers of commerce, colleges, community-based agencies and advocates, faith groups, manufacturers, preservationists, realtors, municipal officials and unions. HousingWorks RI’s vision is a state with communities that embrace a variety of housing choices so Rhode Islanders, regardless of income, can live in quality, affordable homes in vibrant and thriving neighborhoods.