Q: You’ve got big shoes to fill at One Neighborhood Builders. What was it about the organization and the state that made you want to apply for the job?
Chapman: That’s for sure! I’m impressed by the quality of work the team has done and the organization’s reputation within the community. One Neighborhood Builders’ evolution into a leading housing development institution in the state and region is impressive, and I see incredible potential to make an even more significant impact in the community. I’m excited to be back in New England; I’m a graduate of Wesleyan University in Connecticut and Tufts University in Massachusetts, conducted graduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and started my career at the Madison Park Development Corporation in Boston. I also spent several years at Abt Global in Cambridge. There’s no place quite like New England!
Q: One Neighborhood Builders has established itself as one of the best-run community development organizations in the state in recent years. What will the next 10 years look like?
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Chapman: One thing I can say with certainty is that the next decade will be busy. We’ve got a full development pipeline that we will continue to advance and there will be no slowing of our exploration of what other innovative developments we will pursue. We must commit ourselves to doing everything we can to create affordable homes for Rhode Islanders in ways that increase the economic mobility of our residents and create more vibrant and thriving communities. Also, I see immense talent within the team, and continuing to build their capacity and strengthening the organization is my priority.
Q: There has been a lot of transition in the housing space in Rhode Island in recent months. As you come in with a fresh perspective, what are the biggest opportunities and obstacles you see in the state?
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Chapman: Rhode Island’s slow rate of new home construction continues to be outpaced by demand, exacerbating the housing crisis. Coupled with the inherent financing challenges that often accompany affordable housing developments, we’ve got our work cut out to overcome these obstacles. Fortunately, the state has an incredible group of organizations and people committed to addressing the crisis that seem genuinely interested in exploring creative solutions to these complex challenges, and I’m eager to join them in this work. I see opportunities to think critically about how our developments can leverage additional funding from new sources and also have the greatest impact on economic development within the community.
Q: We have a new presidential administration taking office in a few weeks. What kinds of changes to federal housing policy are you expecting, and how are you planning to prepare for them at the local level?
Chapman: We believe there may be attempts to cut the Department of Housing and Urban Development budget, uncertainty for federal programs, and policy changes that impact our work. Though, it’s speculation at this point amidst the noisy political sphere. We’ll continue to lean on our partnerships with Rhode Island’s federal delegation, and our state and municipal leaders. We’re fortunate to operate in an ecosystem with many leaders who are committed to addressing the crisis and strengthening Rhode Island. We are committed to creatively exploring funding and financing from a variety of institutions in addition to the federal government, thereby allowing us to continue to do this vital work.
This story first appeared in Rhode Map, our free newsletter about Rhode Island that also contains information about local events, links to interesting stories, and more. If you’d like to receive it via email Monday through Friday, you can sign up here.
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Dan McGowan can be reached at dan.mcgowan@globe.com. Follow him @danmcgowan.