WWHEZ Awarded Housing Elevation Award from Housing Network RI

On June 3rd West Warwick HEZ received the Housing Elevation Award from Housing Network RI at their annual meeting in Providence. The Housing Elevation Award celebrates individual or organizational contributions that elevate and expand public awareness of housing needs and affordability in Rhode Island. Since 2018, WWHEZ has worked to expand housing opportunities for people experiencing homelessness. WWHEZ partnered with Women's Development Corporation (WDC) in 2022 with the goal of creating a pipeline of permanent supportive housing in West Warwick and began work on the 183 Washington St project in 2023. The 183 Washington St Project is a permanent supportive housing development with 26 studio apartments and 4 1-bedroom apartments. Residents will be provided permanent residency while receiving supportive services from Thrive Behavioral Health. We accepted this award on behalf of the entire collaborative and especially the Healthy Neighborhoods Workgroup. Members of the workgroup and residents were in attendance with us and shared in this recognition of our work together.  

Left to right: WWHEZ Logistics Lead, Shelly Hyson, WWHEZ Community Organizer Wendy Boudreau, WWHEZ Project Manager, Meg Donnelly, Thundermist Senior Director of Health Equity Initiatives, Susan Jacobsen,