Noreen Shawcross retired this summer as the chief of the R.I. Office of Housing and Community Development. Roughly two months into retirement, Shawcross took some time to discuss with Providence Business News why she left and the housing issues facing the Ocean State.
PBN: What led to the decision to retire?
SHAWCROSS: For the past 31 years, I have worked in human services and housing. Each employment experience has been very rewarding, more often a mission than a job. The issues in which I have been involved, child welfare, housing and homelessness, have been somewhat consuming and certainly have taken time from my family.
At this time, my three daughters, who are parents of young children or expecting, really need me more than ever, so I decided that is was time to retire. (I have three grandchildren and two more due in September and October.)
Personal factors were the overriding motivation, but I also believe that change is important and useful in a dynamic field like housing. New leadership brings new ideas and I look forward to innovations in the Office of Housing and Community Development’s work.
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PBN: Looking back, what are you most proud of accomplishing in during your tenure as at the helm of the office?
SHAWCROSS: Without question, there are two accomplishments that I know will have an ongoing impact. Creation of the Neighborhood Opportunities Program has helped to produce nearly 1,200 homes for very low-income households. Housing First Rhode Island, a program that successfully keeps those who have been homeless for years in housing, will continue to change lives.
These programs are models for how Rhode Island could move toward ending homelessness. Nothing has been more gratifying than testimony from families or individuals for whom these programs have provided a permanent home. Needless to say, I had many partners responsible for the success of these efforts.
PBN: Anything you ran out of time to accomplish?
SHAWCROSS: A job is never done if there are people who are struggling to live decent lives. I left knowing that we still have too many people homeless, at risk of homelessness, or in housing of poor quality. I am leaving at a time when more and more families are homeless due to lack of income from employment that is adequate to support housing costs.
The foreclosure crisis is far from solved in Rhode Island. The Housing Resources Commission lead hazard mitigation work has greatly reduced childhood lead poisoning, but we still have property owners who do not comply with the law.
Also, the office has just begun to focus more on healthy housing and energy efficiency. I will have to pass on this work that I believe will have a positive impact on the housing situations of so many Rhode Islanders.
PBN: Broadly speaking, what are the challenges your successor will face?
SHAWCROSS: The challenge for every administrator in state government will be having the resources to carry out the important work to be done for our state’s people.
Producing homes that are affordable is particularly difficult because we require public funds to make the developments financially feasible. Thanks to housing advocates and political leaders the economic benefits of housing opportunity have become much more visible. Hopefully, my successor in the position must continue to work with the community to create more public understanding and political will for housing.
PBN: You have a long history of involvement with affordable housing issues. Is it difficult these days to watch from the sidelines rather than be on the court?
SHAWCROSS: While I will not be a decision-maker, I will not be totally on the sidelines of these issues. Homeless agencies depend upon volunteers to provide services and I really look forward to working directly with those who are homeless. My colleagues will let me know about advocacy efforts, and I will continue to be involved in a supportive role.
When I moved from child welfare work to housing 12 years ago, it was due to my conviction that safe, healthy housing was one of the most important ways to alleviate social problems. That belief has been affirmed over and over again. It has been such a privilege to see lives transformed though housing.
