Housing Work Group

Brenda Clement is the Director of HousingWorks RI at Roger Williams University (RWU).   HousingWorks serves a clearinghouse of information about housing in Rhode Island.  It releases a yearly factbook and other research to promote dialogue among policy makers about the importance of safe and affordable housing for our state’s economic future and for residents’ well-being.

HousingWorks RI at RWU envisions a Rhode Island in which communities embrace a variety of housing choices so that residents, regardless of income, can live in healthy, quality homes in vibrant and thriving neighborhoods.

Prior to HousingWorks, Brenda served as Executive Director of Citizens Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) from 2012-2016.   Established in 1967, CHAPA is a non-profit umbrella organization for affordable housing and community development activities in Massachusetts. In 1995, CHAPA created the New England Housing Network which coordinates federal advocacy efforts for affordable housing across the region.

Brenda has over 25 years of experience in the housing and community development field. She previously served as Executive Director of the Housing Action Coalition of Rhode Island, a statewide affordable housing advocacy organization, and as Executive Director of the Housing Network, the Rhode Island trade association for community development corporations. Brenda is also a founding member of the New England Housing Network and served on the Board of the National Low Income Housing Coalition for nine years and just recently completed her term as Chair.

She has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/Economics from Providence College and a Juris Doctor from Washington College of Law at American University. She has received many awards and recognition for her work including the Housing Network RI – Francis Smith award in 2017; a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 from Rhode Island Housing; a Healthy Housing Award from RI Department of Health in 2011 and a Local Hero Award from Bank of America in 2008.