New Housing at Sayles Street to Support Woonsocket’s Childcare Workers

Woonsocket took a big step forward today in addressing its critical need for affordable housing and reliable childcare as local and state leaders gathered to break ground on an innovative new development at 146 Sayles Street.

The Frontline Childcare and Public Service Worker Residence, developed by NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley (NWBRV), will create deeply affordable housing specifically for four early educators and public service workers. The project converts the second floor of a mixed-use building, situated above a state-licensed youth program, into a shared living space with private bedrooms and common kitchen and laundry areas. Rents will range between $300 and $400 per month, tailored to those earning 30 to 50 percent of the area’s median income.

Mayor Christopher Beauchamp called the project a critical investment in the people who make Woonsocket work. “These residences are dedicated to the people who keep our city running—our childcare providers, our first responders, our public service workers,” he said. “Today, we’re showing up for them. Too often their commitment is met with the personal cost of being priced out of the very communities they support. This project changes that.”

The mayor added that the effort not only brings stability to essential workers but also helps fill staffing gaps in critical sectors like childcare, which in turn supports economic growth. “This groundbreaking is just the beginning. Together we are building not just homes but a more inclusive future for our city and its residents,” he said.

The residence is the latest project supported by the Building Homes Rhode Island affordable housing bond, which was renewed by voters in 2024. “This is exactly the kind of neighborhood-scale investment we want to see more of,” said Mike Tondra, Chief Program Development Officer at the RI Department of Housing. “The affordable housing bond has helped create over 4,800 units statewide, and we’re excited to keep that momentum going.”

Senator Melissa Murray, who represents Woonsocket, thanked voters directly for making the project possible. “Everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to live, and NeighborWorks has provided that in our community for decades,” she said. “The success of the bond shows that Rhode Islanders care about their neighbors and recognize that housing must be a statewide priority.”

Several other community leaders were present at the event including City Councilors Valerie Gonzalez, Kristina Fox and Sharon Harmon, and housing advocates from LISC Rhode Island and the Housing Network of Rhode Island.

Erin Spaulding, Executive Director of Connecting for Children & Families (CCF), emphasized the ripple effects of stable housing on local childcare capacity. “This is not just about helping people live affordably. This is an economic development project,” she said. “Since I joined CCF three years ago, we’ve had to close a classroom because we couldn’t hire enough staff. If we had the staff, 30 more children could be served every day. This project will help change that.”

NWBRV Executive Director Joe Garlick shared community survey data showing strong support for neighborhood investment. Sixty-one percent of families with children said they would “definitely” recommend their neighborhood to others. Belief among young adults that they can make a difference in their community rose from 31 percent in 2017 to 47 percent in 2024. “Families and young people are not only hopeful, they’re ready to lead,” Garlick said. “By building on our early childhood infrastructure and supporting the workforce behind it, this project helps reinforce that momentum.”

The project is funded by the Building Homes Rhode Island Housing Bond, the City of Woonsocket’s HOME Program, LISC Rhode Island, NeighborWorks America, and an impact investment from the Rhode Island Foundation.

NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley has been developing affordable housing and community spaces in Northern Rhode Island since 1987. This latest project reflects a growing effort to match housing affordability with the wages of those providing essential care, education, and services in the community.