Building Affordable Housing in Our Backyard: Meet the Trainees
Last year, WBNA embarked on a new phase of our effort to increase the supply of affordable housing in the West End—by building it ourselves! In 2002 WBNA purchased a beautiful but neglected property at 1192 Westminster St. With the help of neighbors, local artists, and community partners we transformed it into a one-of-a-kind home which now contains a safe, affordable apartment as well as the office of the essential Childhood Lead Action Project.
The renovation of 1192 is one of our proudest accomplishments, but now we’re taking it a step further! For years, the building’s garage has sat unused. Now, with the help of Rhode Island Housing’s HOME funds, we’re converting the garage into an accessible and affordable Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).
The garage conversion serves a number of purposes. First and foremost it will provide someone who needs it with a safe and affordable home so they can build a life without fearing they’ll lose the roof over their head. Not only is the apartment affordable, but it’s also designed accessibly so it can be rented to residents with disabilities. Finding quality low-income housing is already difficult in our city, and for disabled Providence residents it’s even harder to find a unit that can accommodate use of a wheelchair or other mobility aid.
Last, this project will demonstrate the important role ADU’s can play in addressing our state’s affordable housing crisis while promoting “gentle density” in the neighborhoods of Providence.
Construction on the project began in July led by Casa Buena Builders and directed by WBNA board member Noel Sanchez. We’re currently in the important process of framing up the unit’s interior. The project is also being used to train two apprentices for careers in masonry through a Providence Preservation Society training program.
Meet Sam (they/them) and John (he/him), the two PPS trainees working with Casa Buena to get this project done. PPS stopped by 1192 the other day to check in on their work and shared this report back:
“Sam and John have each been tackling different aspects of the renovation under the guidance of Noel.
Sam showed us how they’ve been repointing the brick on the weight bearing wall – a process that if done correctly can extend the life of a brick structure for years to come. The job has had its challenges, considering the dwelling’s proximity to the building next door and the speed in which nature starts to take over.
On the other side John showed us what it takes to repurpose a space that was initially intended for storage and update it to make it habitable by connecting it to the main sewage system.
You can discover more about our different trades programs and how to sign up by going directly to our website pvdpreservation.org.”
The project is now slated to be completed by the end of this year, but we need your help to get us over the finish line! Here you’ll find a list of materials and supplies we need to finish the conversion. If you currently have access to any of these supplies, or if you don’t but just want to pitch in to make this affordable unit a reality, please reach out to Noel Sanchez at office@casabuenabuilders.com
For us, this is about more than just putting an underutilized garage to good use. It’s about changing the way we look at space in our neighborhood and throughout Providence. It’s about prioritizing the needs of our community, with housing at the top of the list. It’s about building a future in which folks with deep roots in our communities are embraced by new development, not pushed out.
There’s so much more work to do on this front, but a big first step will be making our voices heard in the rewriting of the Providence City Plan this year. WBNA will be following this process closely and facilitating participation by neighbors. If you aren’t already subscribed click here to sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media @wbnapvd to get all the latest updates.