Walking Tour: Olneyville (Housing as a Foundation)

Affordable Housing advocates believe that the path to economic opportunity and improved health and educational outcomes begins at your front door. On a walking tour through Olneyville, we will see various housing developments and social service agencies and discuss how they all work together. We will also  discuss the challenges faced by the neighborhood to address housing and other needs

About The Speaker

Brenda Clement is the Director of HousingWorks RI at Roger Williams University. Before HousingWorks, Brenda served as Executive Director of the Citizens Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) from 2012-2016 and was responsible for managing and overseeing all aspects of the agency’s work. Established in 1967, CHAPA is a non-profit umbrella organization for affordable housing and community development activities in Massachusetts. In 1995, CHAPA created the New England Housing Network which coordinates federal advocacy efforts for affordable housing across the region. Brenda has over 20 years of experience in the housing and community development field. She previously served as Executive Director of the Housing Action Coalition of Rhode Island, a statewide affordable housing advocacy organization, and as Executive Director of the Housing Network, the Rhode Island trade association for community development corporations. Brenda is also a founding member of the New England Housing Network and served on the Board of the National Low Income Housing Coalition for nine years and just recently completed her term as Chair. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/Economics from Providence College and a Juris Doctor from Washington College of Law at American University. She has received many awards and recognition for her work including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 from Rhode Island Housing; a Healthy Housing Award from the RI Department of Health in 2011 and a Local Hero Award from Bank of America in 2008.

About the Civic Engagement Series

The Swearer Center's Civic Engagement Series brings together students, faculty, staff, and community to learn, reflect, and take action. Each semester, through a series of workshops, presentations, and convenings, participants engage with the multiple strategies communities are using to effect social change around an issue impacting Providence & Rhode Island.