Partners Join in Providence to Celebrate Dean Street Studios

RIHousing, Women’s Development Corporation, and the Kent Center for Human and Organizational Development were recently joined by General Treasurer Seth Magaziner and Mayor Jorge Elorza to celebrate the grand opening of Dean Street Studios in Providence. The development includes 51 units of supportive housing for disabled and formerly homeless individuals as well as new clinical offices for the Kent Center.

“This project is special because it will provide on-site services and more affordable housing options for our most vulnerable residents,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza. “With our partners, we are creating affordable housing options and helping those who need it most.”

As part of the redevelopment, the Kent Center relocated its Housing First RI offices to Dean Street Studios. This will allow the Kent Center to provide residents with a variety of services as well as access full-time support from Housing First RI’s nurses, doctors, and case managers. Originally built in 1997, the Dean Street building underwent a rehabilitation that included structural repairs, roof replacement, energy efficiency upgrades, and improvements to security.

“Dean Street Studios represents a great achievement made possible by the successful partnership of many parties,” said Barbara Fields, Executive Director of RIHousing. “It’s a great example of how we can leverage investment in housing to attract additional private funding and reach more Rhode Islanders.”