West Elmwood Housing

What West Elmwood Housing does

West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation (WEHDC) is a Providence, Rhode Island-based 501(c)(3) community development corporation founded in 1975 and operating from 224 Dexter St in the 02907 ZIP code. The organization delivers an integrated four-pillar service portfolio — Housing, Food, Health, and Education — targeted at low-to-moderate income residents of Providence's West End neighborhood. WEHDC holds a U.S. Treasury CDFI designation (2001), HUD Housing Counseling Agency status (1999), and is a charter member of NeighborWorks America (1998); it is led by Executive Director Candace Harper with a community-reflective Board of Directors chaired by Collin Bailey.

The organization's core products span affordable real estate (193 rental units across Westfield Lofts, Westfield Commons, Stephens Hall, and Sankofa Healthy Housing; 68 homeownership units; ~$150M cumulative real estate investment), the Neighborworks HomeOwnership Center (HUD-approved homebuyer classes at $99, landlord training at $79, free financial empowerment workshops, and a 1:1 matched-savings program up to $1,000 over 18 months), the Sankofa Initiative (30,000 sq ft community farm, weekly Sankofa World Market with SNAP/EBT and WIC acceptance, community kitchen for food entrepreneurs, and Sankofa WIC nutrition services), Dunamis Synergy (parent leadership and education for ~70 active families), and the 02907 Health Equity Zone (place-based health initiative including the Rhode to Equity asthma program).

Revenue is generated through four streams: recurring rental income from the 193-unit affordable housing portfolio, fee-based educational workshops, individual donations (one-time and recurring), and grants from institutional funders including Bank of America, Washington Trust Charitable Foundation, the Rhode Island Department of Health, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and federal CDFI/HUD allocations. The go-to-market model is community-led: residents are reached through direct outreach, neighborhood word-of-mouth, and a network of 15+ referral partners including Providence Community Health Centers, St. Joseph Health Center, Brown University, College Unbound, and the Rhode Island Department of Health. No AI/ML capabilities, public APIs, mobile apps, or e-commerce channels are in use; the technology stack is limited to CounselorMax client management, online class registration, and a COVID-19 relief fund application platform.

Name

West Elmwood Housing

Legal name

West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation

Website

https://westelmwood.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation is a Providence, RI-based nonprofit community development corporation providing affordable housing, food access, health equity, and education programs to low-to-moderate income residents of the 02907 ZIP code.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing and Community Development Services

NAICS

Other Community Housing Services (624229), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Residential Affordable Housing Development & Construction (IMAFABAI), Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization Housing Programs (FSALAKAO), Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ)

Keywords

• Affordable housing
• Community development
• Housing counseling
• Food access programs
• Homeownership education

Headquarters

HQ city

Providence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Rental Income: Revenue from affordable rental units including Westfield Lofts (69 units), Westfield Commons, Stephens Hall Apartments (32 units), and Sankofa Housing (50 units).
2. Education and Workshop Fees: Homebuyer Education Classes ($99), Landlord Workshop ($79), Financial Empowerment Workshops (free), and Match Savings Incentive Program (free).
3. Grants and Donations: Funding from foundations including Bank of America ($100,000 COVID-19 relief), Washington Trust Charitable Foundation ($122,000), Rhode Island Department of Health grants, and other philanthropic sources.
4. Donations: Individual donations through website with monthly and one-time options, supporting programs like homebuyer education, Sankofa Gardens, and real estate development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation (WEHDC) operates a nonprofit community development corporation in Providence, RI, delivering an integrated portfolio of affordable housing (193 rental units across four properties and 68 homeownership units), HUD-approved homebuyer education and housing counseling, community food access programs including a community farm and farmers market, a WIC nutrition program, and place-based health equity initiatives serving low-to-moderate income residents of the West End neighborhood. The organization functions as a CDFI, HUD Housing Counseling Agency, NeighborWorks chartered member, and Community Housing Development Organization.

Product overview

West Elmwood Housing Development Corporation (WEHDC) is a community development organization offering a portfolio of integrated programs organized around four core pillars: Housing, Food, Health, and Education. The core products include the Neighborworks HomeOwnership Center (providing HUD-approved homebuyer education, financial empowerment workshops, landlord training, and a Match Savings Incentive Program), the Sankofa Initiative (encompassing community gardens, the Sankofa World Market farmers market, community kitchen, and Sankofa WIC nutrition program), Dunamis Synergy (family coaching and parent leadership education), and the 02907 Health Equity Zone (addressing community health disparities). WEHDC also operates real estate development services managing 193 affordable rental units across four properties (Westfield Lofts, Westfield Commons, Stephens Hall Apartments, and Sankofa Healthy Housing) plus homeownership unit development. The organization functions as a CDFI and HUD Housing Counseling Agency, with programs designed to serve low-to-moderate income residents of Providence's West End neighborhood.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• West Elmwood Neighborworks HomeOwnership Center: Homeownership education and counseling services helping neighbors navigate the path to homeownership through education and resources.
• Sankofa
• Sankofa WIC
• Dunamis Synergy
• 02907 Health Equity Zone

Products and services

• West Elmwood Neighborworks HomeOwnership Center HUD-approved homeownership center helping first-time homebuyers navigate the path to homeownership through education, counseling, and financial empowerment services for low-to-moderate income residents of Providence and Rhode Island.
• Homebuyer Education Classes

Quantifiable outcome

• 343 families and individuals assisted with affordable housing and counseling in 2023
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• Roger Williams UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Awarded RI Real Jobs grant for Business Skills for Construction Trades program in partnership with Roger Williams University.
• LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Became a LISC Our Neighborhoods site leader, participating in national community development network supporting affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization.
• NeighborWorks AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1998Became a charter member of NeighborWorks America in 1998, enabling access to national homeownership resources, training, and the NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center designation. This partnership provides HUD-approved counseling curriculum, certification programs, and network support.
• Housing Network of Rhode IslandsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1992Founding member of the Housing Network of RI, the association of Community Development Corporations in Rhode Island.
• Providence Community Health CenterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical partner in Rhode to Equity initiative, providing healthcare services to 02907 residents with asthma. Partnership aims to reduce asthma-related ER visits and hospitalizations by 50%.
• St. Joseph Health CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical partner in Rhode to Equity initiative serving asthma patients from the 02907 community through the Health Equity Zone program.
• Brown UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner working with WEHDC and American Lung Association to monitor air quality in the 02907 Health Equity Zone and educate community members about clean air importance.
• American Lung AssociationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in air quality monitoring and education initiative in the 02907 Health Equity Zone, collaborating with Brown University and WEHDC.
• College UnboundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for Parent Leadership Academy, a 10-week college-accredited course teaching policy, advocacy, conflict resolution, and leadership skills to student parents.
• Rhode Island Department of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished Health Equity Zone (HEZ) as backbone agency in 2015. RIDOH funds and supports place-based health equity initiatives through the 02907 HEZ.
• Genesis CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 02907 HEZ community needs assessment, hosting focus groups and participating in community engagement activities.
• Groundwork Rhode IslandsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 02907 HEZ community needs assessment and SpeakOuts, collaborating on environmental and community development initiatives.
• Southside Community Land TrustsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in 02907 HEZ community engagement and food systems assessment, collaborating on urban agriculture and food access programming.
• Young VoicessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth organization partner in 02907 HEZ assessment, collaborating to conduct focus groups with youth and young parents in the community.
• Amos HousesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial services partner hosting focus groups for the 02907 HEZ community needs assessment, serving vulnerable populations.
• Refugee Dream CentersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization partner hosting focus groups for the 02907 HEZ needs assessment, representing immigrant and refugee communities.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Crossroads Rhode Island: Providence-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, housing, and recovery services for people experiencing homelessness and housing instability. Direct peer on affordable housing and social services in Providence's at-risk communities.
• Rhode Island Community Food Bank: Statewide food bank distributing food to pantries and meal sites, including SNAP outreach. Directly comparable on food access and food insecurity programming serving low-income Rhode Island residents; recently received $500K grant for disproportionately impacted communities.
• Amos House: Providence nonprofit providing housing, workforce development, and social services to vulnerable populations. Direct peer on housing-and-social-services integration model and partner with WEHDC in the 02907 HEZ community needs assessment.
• Southside Community Land Trust: Providence-based community land trust focused on urban agriculture, food access, and community development. Directly comparable on food access and urban farming programs (Sankofa/Southside collaboration on 02907 HEZ food systems assessment) and serves overlapping immigrant/refugee communities in Providence.
• Genesis Center: Providence-based nonprofit serving immigrant and refugee communities through education, social services, and workforce training. Direct peer on immigrant/refugee service delivery and partner with WEHDC in 02907 HEZ community needs assessment.

Emerging players

• Groundwork Rhode Island: Providence-based environmental justice and community development nonprofit focused on brownfields remediation, green spaces, and youth workforce development. Partner with WEHDC in 02907 HEZ; partial overlap on blighted property redevelopment and community gardens.

Broad incumbents

• NeighborWorks America: National network of which West Elmwood is a charter member. NeighborWorks America sets standards and provides training/capital to a network of 240+ affordable housing and community development nonprofits; directly comparable as the umbrella organization and primary peer for any NeighborWorks chartered member.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National CDFI and community development intermediary. WEHDC is a LISC Our Neighborhoods site leader. LISC operates comparable affordable housing, economic development, and health programs through local partners across the U.S., making it a strong structural peer at the network level.
• Rhode Island Housing: State housing finance agency providing mortgage financing, rental assistance, and affordable housing development financing across Rhode Island. Overlapping mission on affordable housing production and the primary state-level funder/comparator for WEHDC's real estate development pipeline.

Others

• Housing Network of Rhode Island: Statewide association of community development corporations in Rhode Island, of which WEHDC is a founding member (1992). Industry-association peer representing the collective advocacy and capacity-building body for CDCs operating in the same market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/westelmwoodhdc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about West Elmwood Housing