Lynn Sexton

Lynn Sexton is Portfolio Director of SWAP Community Land Trust Property Management, a position she has held since 2018. She had worked in the private sector with SWAP as a client.  When SWAP decided to become its own Property Management Company Lynn decided to join our team. “For me, it was a no-brainer. I am so proud to be a part of SWAP, and the continued difference SWAP was going to make by being their own management company was something I was very excited about.”

“Driving through the neighborhood, you can instantly see what houses belong to SWAP. And in turn, you can see the neighboring houses beautifying themselves, and you can see the evolution of that street turning into something so beautiful. SWAP truly lives up to its mission of providing affordable housing opportunities for persons of low and moderate income, revitalizing urban neighborhoods, and building new communities.

You can see it scattered all throughout not only South Providence but the rest of the state as we expand our rental portfolio and new home ownership opportunities open up.”

Still, Lynn acknowledges there are challenges: expanding homeownership programs, continued rental assistance, repurposing underused spaces, and keeping rents affordable. But Lynn adds the SWAP team is committed  - especially under the leadership of its Executive Director, Carla DeStefano. “Carla’s continued passion in Affordable Housing is a force to be reckoned with!”

Full Q&A

How did you first become involved with the housing crisis and SWAP? I was originally hired under Winn Management for the Property Management Role with SWAP. When SWAP decided to branch off on their own and become their own management company in 2018, I had a choice. I could move over with SWAP and manage the properties for them as our own Management Company, or I could stay with Winn and they would relocate me within the company. For me it was a no brainer. I am so proud to be a part of SWAP and the continued difference SWAP was going to make being their own management company was something I was very excited about.

What are your thoughts on how SWAP has made a difference in housing and revitalizing neighborhoods over the past 50 years? The passion Carla has with SWAP is beautiful. The pride in turning vacant lots and abandoned and burnt down houses into beautiful houses and apartments that are affordable is truly amazing.  Driving through the neighborhood, you can instantly see what houses belong to SWAP. And in turn you can see the neighboring houses beautifying themselves and you can see the evolution of that street turning into something so beautiful. SWAP truly lives up to their mission of providing affordable housing opportunities for persons of low and moderate income, revitalizing urban neighborhoods and building new communities. You can see it scattered all throughout not only south providence but the rest of the state as new home ownership opportunities open up and we expand our rental portfolio.

Community housing development has evolved over the past 50 years – but we find ourselves in a housing crisis.  What do you see as the role for SWAP and other CDC’s in finding solutions to create more housing in RI? Carla’s continued Passion in Affordable Housing is a force to be reckoned with. There is a multitude of things that need to happen: Expanding homeownership programs, continued rental assistance, continuing to repurpose underused spaces, keeping rent affordable. Swap will always prioritize building and keeping Affordable Housing. SWAP will continue to cut through the red tape.

Any funny stories or anecdotes about SWAP over the years that you would like to share? Working in property management can be busy and stressful. As a staff we find ways to keep smiling, even on the toughest days. We do “spirit week” in the office and one year for Halloween, we all dressed up as our Maintenance Supervisor. We had greyed out beards, caps, and the maintenance uniform on and called him into a fake meeting and all came marching in one by one dressed as him.