PBN Leaders & Achievers 2024 Awards
Marilee Arsenault | North Providence Housing Authority | Executive director
THE LAST SIX YEARS have been a whirlwind for Marilee Arseneault, executive director for the North Providence Housing Authority. It is no easy feat to lead direct efforts after just two years in a coordinator and administrative role, then build a new team from the ground up and quickly achieve high-performer status recognized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
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But that’s just one among several other accolades earned by Arseneault and her team for their efforts.
“I have been driven to revolutionize our operations from day one. With a small but mighty team taking on ambitious challenges, through the tireless efforts of our exceptional staff, we have accomplished remarkable things,” she said. “Despite our size, we are a force to be reckoned with, and I’m proud of the impact we’ve made with providing vital housing services to those in need.”
One of those major accomplishments is the authority’s Veterans Assisted Supportive Housing Program, or VASH. The program started with just 44 vouchers to help military veterans find affordable housing. But thanks to Arsenault’s dedication, additional funding was received in March and has resulted in 25 extra vouchers, making the authority Rhode Island’s second-largest veteran housing organization.
“What I love the most about housing is it is ever-changing. HUD is changing regulations, policies and procedures all the time,” she said.
Arsenault’s insatiable thirst for knowledge and quest to find solutions helped her rise to the occasion as a leader. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Arsenault spearheaded the remote-working initiative to ensure the team could telecommute effortlessly.
She also dedicated herself to a comprehensive safety initiative to benefit residents and employees, and introduced a new state-of-the-art security system at all properties accessible by desktop and phone, which was funded by a Housing Authority Insurance Group grant.
“As executive director, I have been dedicated to driving change in the day-to-day operations of North Providence Housing Authority since [the beginning],” she said. “I recognize the importance of working efficiently and effectively, allowing us to focus on our core mission: Providing housing to those in need.”
