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SWAP calls for more government action amid the housing crisis


South Providence non-profit 'Stop Wasting Abandoned Property,' also known as 'SWAP,' is building five, two-family homes on the corner of Portland Street in Providence.
South Providence non-profit 'Stop Wasting Abandoned Property,' also known as 'SWAP,' is building five, two-family homes on the corner of Portland Street in Providence.
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The affordable housing crisis is a major challenge for families looking for available homes.

South Providence non-profit Stop Wasting Abandoned Property, also known as 'SWAP,' is building five, two-family homes on the corner of Portland Street in Providence.

There are affordable housing apartments also being built in the same space by a separate entity.

SWAP develops and provides affordable housing for low and moderate-income individuals and families.

Executive Director Carla DeStefano said they do not have enough housing to meet the exceptionally high demand.

"We have 364 apartments, all of which are full or rented for the first or the next month, so we don't really even have openings," said DeStefano.

Through an end of the year review, the non-profit learned they have more than 1,300 families on their active intake list. That's more than three times the units they have, and each one is full.

"Every year starting in January on the apartment side, w do an intake update which means we send a mailing to every person who has walked into our office in the previous year or years depending on how long they have been on the intake list to see if they are still interested in renting an apartment," said DeStefano.

She said the number has been on the rise for years.

They manage two different kinds of apartment complexes; one is a 40-unit complex like Maplewoods in the Manton neighborhood of Providence.

SWAP said these units are ideal for large families with children.

The other kind are individual mixed use and multi-family buildings.

Many families hope to rent in the South Providence or Manton Street neighborhoods.

"Most of the folks that come to our office. They're all working and they're all working in jobs for things we take for granted," said DeStefano. "People who work in hospitals, schoolteachers, grocery clerks, everybody in the hospitality and tourism industry. The rents have gone beyond what they can afford based on what they're earning right now."

DeStefano calls on the state's policy makers for more swift action.

"We need more housing, not just what you consider affordable, we need quality housing," said DeStefano. "We want to advance our state economically. We need housing for everyone at every job level."

The executive director also suggested more density, to be able to build higher in commercialized corridors in other cities and towns outside of Providence.

SWAP said applicants on the active list will have first dibs on any new apartments and ones that become vacant.

The affordable homes for sale on Portland Street will be completed by the end of the year.

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