Homeless in RI: Charles Street – one person at a time

Yesterday, Providence officials checked on the encampment at private property on Charles Street, and assisted, along with case workers, in moving a handful of remaining campers off the site. While many, if not all, were offered hotel rooms or other temporary housing arrangements, a few did not take them up on the offer and made their way up the street with belongings in tow. As people left, clean up crews came in to clean, and in some cases move piles of debris with small vehicles. At the end of their work, signage was put up blocking off the entrance to the private tract of land.

One media report noted that the people who went up the street settled into another wooded area less than a mile away, by Route 146. That most likely area would be between Esek Hopkins Middle School, the school’s outdoor playing fields, and the Mariani Funeral Home. Depending on their location, they could actually be closer to the DaVinci Center than those who were moved out before were located.

There were 3 parcels of land in this Charles Street encampment – 2 state owned land and 1 large private owned space. When they were given notice by the City last week, they were referred to Amos House, Crossroads, and Project Renew. Other service agencies were sporadically present.

A media outlet reported that Crossroads resettled two people and then immediately ran a fundraising appeal around their “success”.

The RI Coalition to End Homelessness’ idea is to have outdoor encampments be “sanctioned” with services delivered to the sites, including port-a-potties, garbage containers, and the ability to have food and other services delivered to them.

Providence Mayor Smiley

Mayor Smiley’s office responded to our request, asking specifically about those who went to “re-settle” up the street. His staff member, Josh Estrella, responded:

“The City is working closely with providers and with the State to help connect these individuals with the supports they need and to find privately owned property to better support the statewide response to homelessness. The Mayor, and the City of Providence, remain committed to finding increased housing opportunities for folks in Providence and throughout the State. Earlier this summer the City invested $263,000 to extend the use of current shelter beds and increased our allocation to Amos House. This is in addition to the $3.4 million we’ve spent over the last year for shelter beds.”

The “official” count maintained by homeless advocates says there are “614…waiting shelter at the end of July” – this figure is unconfirmed, and that number is statewide.

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Boston’s big plan

Prior to leaving on a 2-week vacation, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said she would soon take a “major step” to clean up the largest homeless area, known as “Mass and Cass”. A staff member said the new strategy would include a crackdown on violent criminals and those who engage in “dangerous behavior” amid a rise in assaults and weapon recoveries.  The Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden has long wanted to see that those involved with the courts and have their crimes rooted in mental illness or substance be given an option to participate in treatment programs in lieu of jail. There has also been a study to see the efficacy of turning an old cruise ship into a treatment hospital as a diversion program.

New Tent Cities in New York

Two new areas will be going up – one on public soccer fields on an Randall’s Island off the coast of New York. Another public tenting area is also planned on the grounds of an old psychiatric building – a total of 2,700 “beds”.

Massachusetts Press Event Set for Today

Expanding beyond the Boston crisis, Governor Maura Healey says she will take “executive action” due to the influx of migrants on top of the homeless in need. The governor will make an announcement “related to the emergency shelter system” at a news conference Tuesday morning. Homeless experts have said the shelters are no longer safe and people aren’t safe outside – or inside – at this point.

An emergency declaration would allow the Governor to call out the National Guard, and could access federal funds.

Update: Presser focused more on migrant homeless and refugees than local homeless – asking for federal support, families to open their homes to those in need, etc. Also focused on jobs and that if people have jobs, then they can support their families. Asking hotels to open to migrant families – and an all-of-community response.

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Governor McKee

Gov. McKee has stated he wants to purchase empty state properties to be used for homeless housing, and does not include Pallet Shelters in his plans. Housing advocates talk about Pallet Shelters. This photo, below, is of a shelter in Vermont – new pop up companies are starting to produce shelters to compete with the Washington based Pallet Shelter company. Pallets need level ground, hook-up services (electricity, heat, a/c), bathroom facilities, security, food station, and staffing locations for wrap around services. They can be built to house one, two, or several people.

As with hotel vouchers and shelter beds, if you build it – or offer it – will they go? That seems to be a critical piece of the homelessness puzzle.

The homeless who have been living on this private property have known they would have to move for months – as have the homeless advocates who work with them.

It is 46 days until the first day of Fall.

It is 135 days until the first day of Winter.