HousingWorks RI officially partners with RWU

NICOLE LAGACE, who has served as interim director of HousingWorks RI since last year, was appointed director of the policy research group as it announced its official collaboration with Roger Williams University's outreach and engagement division. / COURTESY HOUSINGWORKS RI
NICOLE LAGACE, who has served as interim director of HousingWorks RI since last year, was appointed director of the policy research group as it announced its official collaboration with Roger Williams University's outreach and engagement division. / COURTESY HOUSINGWORKS RI

BRISTOL – HousingWorks RI, a housing policy research group that has been collaborating with Roger Williams University since 2012, officially joined the university’s division of outreach and engagement on July 1, the school announced Wednesday.
HousingWorks RI interim director Nicole Lagace has been appointed director. She became interim director last year after serving as communications director for five years.
“I’m confident that our new home, and [the] opportunity to collaborate with such talented staff, faculty and students, will only strengthen the work of HousingWorks RI and help us advance housing affordability as a public policy priority, essential to Rhode Island’s economic future,” Lagace said in a statement.
Founded 10 years ago, HousingWorks produces an annual Housing Fact Book in September, as well as quarterly foreclosure reports. The research group also tracks and maps the homebuilding that results from affordable housing bonding initiatives and writes special reports.
The agency is based on the RWU’s Providence campus at 150 Washington St.
President Donald J. Farish said the partnership with HousingWorks RI continues the university’s longstanding commitment to serve the community.
“The long history of [funding] support from The Rhode Island Foundation, Rhode Island Housing and the United Way of Rhode Island, coupled with our campus resources and eager student body will position HousingWorks RI to further advance important policy discussions in our state around housing affordability and the economy,” Farish said.
RWU students studying historic preservation and economics have already started to work with HousingWorks RI staff to analyze data, gather research and publish findings. Earlier this year, the Latino Policy Institute at Roger Williams University and the research group released a second annual review of the severe housing cost burden Latinos in Rhode Island are facing.
HousingWorks RI staff also have lectured at RWU on public policy, data analysis and applied research.
“This new relationship with Roger Williams University will enable the organization to continue the crucial work of providing policymakers and the public with solid data and context around the importance of investing in healthy and affordable housing,” said Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation.
Other programs in the Roger Williams University outreach and engagement division include the Latino Policy Institute, Community Partnerships Center, Feinstein Center for Service Learning and Engagement, Feinstein Center for Pro Bono and Experiential Education and the RWU Career Center.

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