In spite of being told it couldn’t be done, Conard-Wells spearheaded the transformation of Rau Fastener, an abandoned Providence factory. Today, attractive mixed-income rental units anchor a larger revitalization effort in the West Elmwood neighborhood.

In recent years, housing prices across the country have soared. Southern New England has been no exception. The map shows the percent change in median sales prices for single-family homes for each city and town in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island between 2000 and 2004.

A new idea in affordable housing—in-home child-care businesses—exemplifies big-picture thinking in community revitalization.