Contact Us
SWAP Inc.
info@swapinc.org
+1 (401) 272-0526
439 Pine St.
Providence, RI 02907
SWAP CLT Property Management
info@swapclt.com
+1 (401) 784-6923
19 Elmwood Ave.
Providence, RI 02907
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Transforming Communities
In 1975, when urban neighborhoods across the country were being blighted by fires and the exodus of residents to the suburbs, a pioneering group of residents in Providence formed SWAP.
SWAP’s Founders
Visionaries Who Pioneered A Homesteading Program to Rescue Their Neighborhood
The year was 1975. A group of 20-somethings gathered in the living room of their urban Providence home with a couple of six-packs of beer. Out the window, there was a tableau of empty, garbage-filled, rat-infested lots and abandoned triple-deckers.
Over the years, one house, then one street, then one neighborhood were reclaimed by an innovative homesteading program that brought a home buyer and a house in need of rehabilitation together. Today, SWAP continues to transform communities. Through historic restoration and new construction, SWAP creates affordable rental apartments and homes for sale. SWAP's current focus is on developing mixed-use residential and commercial spaces and creating newly vibrant commercial corridors.
Homes for People
SWAP takes a multi-pronged development approach that offers a wide range of housing opportunities for both rentals and home ownership. We have townhouses that provide an attractive and colorful streetscape of homes for owners. We work with potential buyers and funders to create affordable opportunities for new homeowners- including building two-family homes that allow homeowners to earn extra money from rent. SWAP has restored homes in older neighborhoods to create both homes for sale and multiple apartments for rent, and we have rescued blighted vacant lots to build rental units and homes for sale that continue to reflect the community's sense of place.
Southside Commercial Corridors
A strong neighborhood includes markets, safe gathering spaces, access to public transportation, and affordable housing, all within walking distance. This is especially true for Providence’s South Side and the critical Broad Street Commercial Corridor. The Broad Street revitalization provides retail and community space, expands neighborhood businesses, and creates affordable apartments. The Commercial Corridor also provides vital access to public transportation for residents and businesses. SWAP has developed over 20,000 square feet of small business and community commercial space with apartments above, creating a vibrant neighborhood and community along Broad Street.
Historic Preservation
Over the past 50 years, SWAP has been committed to developing in ways that preserve traditional neighborhoods and respect current and historic elements while also considering community needs, including family size, culture, and income. The development of historic and new buildings has resulted in the comprehensive rebuilding of a mixed-use community that serves as a catalyst for neighborhood rebirth.
Walkable Neighborhoods
South Providence is an extremely walkable neighborhood with schools, hospitals, shopping, a cultural and recreation center, and thousands of job opportunities within walking distance. SWAP has worked to enhance the traditional neighborhoodscape with street trees and its beautiful window box program. Working with many partners, it has revitalized the historic Grace Cemetery and created a small park to honor the neighborhood’s war veterans.
SWAP has invested over $143 million dollars in Providence’s South Side, combining neighborhood revitalization, historic renovation, and adaptive reuse. The result: new inclusive affordable housing and holistic community revitalization. The revitalization respects the traditional fabric, scale, and history while encouraging business growth in areas that are walkable and have access to transit. The investment over the past 50 years has stabilized the region, promoted community pride, and proven to be a solid investment.
Affordable Housing and Community Investment since 1975
Over 1,300 homes were saved from demolition in blighted neighborhoods throughout Providence as part of SWAP’s founding “homesteading” program.” SWAP matched blighted houses with urban pioneers who were required to participate in renovating the house that would become their home. SWAP maintains records of the addresses of all of the homes revitalized under this program. In 1993, the homesteading programs gave way to the Community Development Corporation (CDC) based model of affordable housing production.
1975 - 1993
Homes saved from demolition with urban homesteading.
Total Development Since 1993
This includes rental housing development, home ownership development, and commercial development.
Buildings
Renovation and new construction since 1993.
Rental UNI
Renovation and new construction since 1993.
Homes Sold
Renovation and new construction since 1993.
Commercial Space
Renovation and new construction since 1993.
The core mission remains unchanged
Our core mission remains unchanged, but in our 50th year, we face increasing challenges as the need and demand for entry-level affordable homes for sale and family-size apartments for rent continue to grow.
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