Women’s Development Corporation (WDC) plans a two-phase approach to the redevelopment of 183 Washington, the former Ocean State Furniture Store.    

• In Phase I, WDC will develop a Navigation Center to provide behavioral health support, housing stabilization, and other wraparound social services for local residents.  The Center’s priority will be serving those currently congregating around the gazebo in the center of Arctic Village and the homeless encampment along the bike path.  It will create a safe, stable and professionally run alternative for up to 40 individuals.
• In Phase II, WDC will create 38 new units of permanent supportive housing with space for non-profit organizations that serve our community.

183 Washington Street will provide better, safer options for our unhoused neighbors who currently congregate around the Gazebo in the center of Arctic Village and at the recent homeless encampment along the bike path. 

183 Washington Street is the result of an innovative partnership between the West Warwick Health Equity Zone (HEZ) and WDC. West Warwick’s HEZ is a coalition of residents and community-based organizations, anchored by Thundermist Health Center, that has worked to help the community support substance abuse recovery and mental health challenges. The HEZ established a goal of identifying The West Warwick HEZ invited WDC to develop affordable housing to meet this serious community need. 183 Washington is the first step in that process.

In 2020, the HEZ created a Healthy Neighborhoods workgroup to focus on the growing number of people experiencing homelessness in West Warwick.  This group included members of the HEZ, the Chief of the West Warwick Fire Department/Emergency Management lead, the West Warwick Chief of Police/ Acting Town Manager and the West Warwick Public Housing Authority.  It also included representatives from the Continuum of Care, Housing Works RI and the RI Coalition to End Homelessness. 

The work group’s vision was to ensure that all residents of West Warwick have access to safe, decent, affordable housing.  In 2022, the group invited WDC, an experienced community development organization with over 20 years experience in West Warwick, to work together to develop a pipeline of potential affordable housing to meet this challenge.

The services to be offered by WDC’s at 183 Washington Street will address the immediate needs of the community in the near term while the project moves though the thorough planning and development process for the second phase of the project. This approach, with input from the Arctic Village Redevelopment Agency and others in the community, will ensure that the project and building design is consistent with the Arctic Village Redevelopment Strategy and the Arctic Village Plan.  Most important of all, it will make certain that the effort contributes to a permanent solution to the community’s needs for permanent supportive housing.

Yes. The building currently pays approximately $16,500 in property taxes per year. At the conclusion of Phase II the amount of property taxes paid will likely be more than twice that amount.

Women’s Development Corporation currently owns and manages 103 affordable units of housing in West Warwick alone, and nearly 900 units across 13 communities statewide and nearby Southeastern Massachusetts. Women’s Development Corporation provides housing and supportive services to more than 2,000 Rhode Islanders annually. 

Women’s Development Corporation is committed to providing regular updates on our website at 183washington.com, our email newsletter and on the Women’s Development Corporation social media pages. As new neighbors move into 183 Washington Street and become part of the fabric of the community, Women’s Development Corporation will make it a priority to stay in contact with the neighborhood and respond to any questions or comments that may arise. 

Phase I:  The goal of the Navigation Center is to be ready to serve residents during the upcoming winter of 2023.  This will require that the center be operational within 90-120 days of approvals. WDC expects it to be operational for no more than three years while we work towards the completion of Phase II. 

During “Phase I”, WDC will complete funding and investment plans, and work with the Artic Redevelopment Agency and the community to develop full designs for Phase II – a 38-unit permanent supportive housing project. Phase II will require significant investment and construction, creating many construction jobs. The timeline for construction and leasing will be finalized and shared with the community after the necessary financing, planning and permitting is complete.

During Phase I-The Navigation Center, the facility will be leased and operated by Thrive Behavioral Health (“Thrive”), which already has a significant presence in West Warwick.  Residents will be supported by program and/or security staff 24/7. 

Thrive has extensive experience with the local population’s needs and would operate the comprehensive services program for people served by the facility at 183 Washington. Thrive also operates the Community Behavioral Health Center in the Kent County area. Thrive has provided behavioral health services since 1976 and is a valued member of the project team. 

The Navigation Center will support people by addressing food security, behavioral health needs, overcoming substance abuse, education and job retraining and housing assistance.  People served at the Navigation Center will be provided with a case manager who will assist them in applying for and accessing vital documents, medical and behavioral health services, housing, financial and medical benefits as well as other community, educational and vocational resources.  There will be indoor and outdoor on-site recreational spaces provided as well.   

The Navigation Center will also collaborate and communicate frequently with West Warwick public safety and town officials.

During Phase II-WDC will continue to rely on Thrive, HEZ members and other local services providers to support our residents.  There will be a long-term commitment from local service providers with a high level of engagement to meet the needs of the residents.

Yes - the Navigation Center will be staffed 24/7 by Thrive personnel and Security Staff.  The design for both phases will include features to ensure the safety of our residents, staff and neighbors.  Cameras will be included as will fencing with privacy screening around outdoor spaces adjacent to Archambault Avenue. 

Funding for new affordable housing requires many partners. For this project, RI Housing has committed grant funds both to acquire the 183 Washington Street property and for predevelopment expenses related to the development of the permanent supportive housing in Phase II.  The West Warwick Housing Authority has expressed support for the project and is interested in working to access rental assistance vouchers for the permanent project. An application is pending with the State for funds for construction and operations of the Navigation Center.   As an alternative to the State’s utilization of hotels and motels, the Navigation Center will save Rhode Island taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars and provide better outcomes for those receiving support. 

WDC’s sister property management organization, Housing Opportunities Corporation (“HOC”) will provide facilities management, including daily janitorial services for all interior and exterior spaces.

The property was first identified through WDC’s collaboration with the West Warwick HEZ, including local officials.  Easy access to public transportation, services and jobs make 183 Washington Street an ideal location for permanent supportive housing.  In addition, it will provide better, safer options for our unhoused neighbors who currently congregate around the Gazebo in the center of Arctic Village and at the recent homeless encampment along the bike path. 

With the current business closing, 183 Washington would otherwise be left vacant.  The property is within a half mile radius of numerous restaurants, the US Post Office, Thundermist Health Center, The Salvation Army Thrift store, the West Warwick Housing Authority, Cumberland Farms, NATCO Products Corporation, CVS and many other potential retail, services, and employers.

At least 75% of the people served will be West Warwick residents. WDC and Thrive Behavioral Health will coordinate with outreach teams to identify unhoused eligible individuals. The facility will only serve individuals, no families with children will be served.