Building Capacity for Resident-Centered Housing Planning

Healthy Bodies Healthy Minds (HBHM) is part of a $3.8 million statewide Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Affordable Housing (PRO-Housing) initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered through a partnership between the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), and the Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing.

The State of Rhode Island selected Washington and Bristol Counties as priority geographies under HUD guidelines. Through this investment, local partners are working to develop replicable, community-driven strategies that reduce barriers to affordable housing development and strengthen resident-led housing planning across the state.

HBHM’s Role in Washington County

In Washington County, HBHM is leading this work with a focus on building the structure, capacity, and framework for meaningful resident engagement in housing decision-making. Rather than funding housing development directly, this project centers on ensuring that residents are supported, prepared, and empowered to inform local housing priorities and planning efforts already underway.

Focus in Westerly

HBHM is partnering with the Town of Westerly, community organizations, and residents to strengthen resident leadership and engagement related to affordable housing. This includes developing a Housing Work Group, supporting resident leadership pathways, hosting community conversations, and facilitating a Design Lab to elevate resident perspectives and inform future planning. This work is designed to build on and support Westerly’s existing housing initiatives, strengthen collaboration across sectors, and create a resident-centered engagement model that can be adapted by other communities within Washington County and across Rhode Island.