by 
Executive Director | SWAP, Inc. (Stop Wasting Abandoned Property)
Panelist | Inclusive Development and Housing Affordability
For 30 years as the Executive Director of SWAP, (Save Wasting Abandoned Property) Carla DeStefano has been a consistent and thoughtful champion for the development of affordable housing while revitalizing neighborhoods and building new communities in Rhode Island. SWAP has taken a multi-pronged development approach offering a wide range of smart growth housing opportunities. As part of the Pine Street Historic District, SWAP created homes for rent and to purchase, often restoring dilapidated but once beautiful historic mansions into multiple apartments. On small vacant lots new compactly designed homes for sale are being built- often including a 2nd unit for rental providing another good home and income for the owner-occupant.
In Trinity Square, SWAP transformed a large derelict site into new mixed-use buildings and much-needed affordable rental apartments- a project that won the 2023 Gindroz Award from the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. Under Carla’s leadership, SWAP invested $143 million in the development of rental housing, home ownership, and commercial/ community space. That investment funded the renovation and new construction of 140 buildings, 464 rental units, 192 homes sold and 21,600 SF of commercial space.
Carla serves as a Board member of the RI Builders Association and was awarded the 2023 Grow Smart RI award for Outstanding Leadership.
