Homeless in RI: Regional Access Points Announced, Emergency Shelters, State Report, CEO Search

The REGIONAL ACCESS POINTS originally announced by Governor McKee about a month ago are NOW OPEN. The Centers serve to help improve access to the homeless response system, previously accessed by the phone number and waiting list arrangement.

The Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing (EOH) announced the Regional Access Points (RAPs) that have been put together around the state to help individuals access information to prevent homelessness and to help individuals’ transition from homelessness to stable housing and improved well-being.  The centers are now operational (as of Oct. 1). They are:

The Community Care Alliance – Woonsocket

Crossroads – Providence

The purpose of the RAPs is to provide individuals and families at risk of homelessness, or experiencing homelessness, with centralized, easy-to-access entry points to housing-related services, including case management, housing navigation, emergency shelter, mental health and substance use services, and other critical resources. RAPs will provide a comprehensive range of services and opportunities for “warm handoffs” to other service providers for persons experiencing homelessness.

Alongside the launch of RAPs, EOH has also introduced a new webpage to assist individuals experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.

The webpage provides up-to-date information on RAP and shelter locations, hours, services offered, and access instructions, serving as a centralized resource for individuals, families, providers, and municipalities.

Go in person, not by phone:

As outlined in EOH’s announcement, instead of calling a single statewide hotline, individuals in need can now visit or connect with one of seven Regional Access Points — including a mobile unit — which act as local hubs for emergency shelter referrals, housing problem-solving, and crisis response services.

“By making these changes, we’re building a more responsive and compassionate response system,” said Secretary of Housing Deborah Goddard. “Regional Access Points and the new resource webpage will help people connect in a more streamlined way with emergency shelter and housing supports, especially during the winter months when the need is greatest.”

In addition to online materials, to ensure information reaches Rhode Islanders without internet access, printed materials are being distributed statewide through Street Outreach Teams and local partners, and warming centers identified by the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA).

A full list of RAP locations, hours, and emergency shelter information is available at: housing.ri.gov/resources/individuals-experiencing-homelessness

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Year-Round Emergency Shelters – Operational October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026

Through the FY26 Consolidated Homelessness Fund (CHF), service providers were awarded funding for a variety of projects across Rhode Island to support essential services and the following list of year-round emergency shelters for Rhode Islanders experiencing homelessness.

Access: To access a Year-Round Emergency Shelter, individuals should first go to a Regional Access Point listed above and complete an assessment.

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Recruitment at RI Coalition to Prevent Homelessness – looking for a CEO

As the RI Coalition to Prevent Homelessness pivots to changes being made in delivering homeless services for the new year ahead, their CEO has left and they are advertising for a position that is listed as TEMPORARY, for up to 6 mos, as the search process completes. Kimberly Simmons left after over 1 year at the agency, filling in as the INTERIM CEO, herself, taking over from Caitlin Frumere who had served as CEO for 6 years.

Here is the job description:

Position Title: Interim Executive Director
Supervised By: Board of Directors
Supervises: Finance Director, Director of Human Resources, PFS Program Manager, Director of HMIS, and Community Programs Manager
Position Type: Temporary position; At least 3 days a week, for up to 6 months
Compensation: Commensurate with experience; contract position
Location: Providence, RI

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The State of Homelessness Report

Each year the RI Coalition (above) produces a State of Homelessness Report for Rhode Island, using data from the Point in Time count.

Every state must, by federal guidelines, conduct a Point in Time count of the homeless population. The document summary contains this information:

“The document provides an analysis of homelessness trends, statistics, and contributing factors in Rhode Island from 2020 to 2025, highlighting the challenges and solutions in addressing the issue.

Overall Homelessness Trends in Rhode Island

Overall homelessness in Rhode Island has seen a slight decrease, but unsheltered homelessness continues to rise significantly.

• Overall homelessness decreased by 2.8% from the previous year.
• Total persons experiencing homelessness in 2025: 2,373.
• Breakdown: 1,507 individuals, 866 persons in families, 125 young adults (ages 18-24), and 248 veterans.
• Chronic homelessness remains a concern, with a notable number fleeing domestic violence.

Rising Unsheltered Homelessness

The number of unsheltered homeless individuals has increased sharply over the past year.

• Unsheltered homelessness rose by 15% from the previous year.
• Total unsheltered persons in 2025: 700.
• Historical data shows a consistent upward trend in unsheltered counts since 2020.

Point in Time Count Insights

The Point in Time Count provides a snapshot of homelessness on a specific night, revealing critical demographic information.

• On January 21, 2025, 2,373 persons were counted as experiencing homelessness.
• 31% of families and 25% of individuals counted were Black or African American.
• 1,022 persons were fleeing domestic violence.

Length of Stay in Shelter

Longer stays in shelters are contributing to a bottleneck in available beds for those in need.

• Average length of stay in shelter: 117 days.
• Households with children: 169 days; households without children: 138 days; single adults: 69 days.

Subpopulations in Shelter

A significant portion of those in shelters face various challenges, including disabilities and mental health issues.

• 25.8% had a physical disability.
• 20.9% were aged 55 years or older.
• 43.4% had a mental health disorder, and 23.6% had a substance use disorder.

Exit Destinations from Shelter

Most individuals exiting shelters do not find permanent housing, leading to a high rate of unsheltered or unknown destinations.

• 58.5% exited to unsheltered or unknown destinations.
• Only 14.2% exited to permanent housing.

Housing Access Challenges

There is a significant gap between the number of households needing housing and the available openings.

• 1,178 households are on the prioritization list for housing.
• Average housing openings per month: 19.
• 112 households are in housing search with a Rapid Re-Housing Voucher but have not moved in.

Housing Beds Availability

The total number of housing beds available in the homeless response system is substantial but still insufficient.

• Total housing beds: 2,709.
• Breakdown: 1,183 adult-only beds, 1,526 family beds, and various supportive housing options.

Successful Housing Retention Rates

Rhode Island has maintained high retention rates for permanent supportive housing, indicating effective long-term solutions.

• Retention rates for permanent housing have remained around 96-98% from 2020 to 2023.

Solutions for Preventing and Ending Homelessness

A multi-faceted approach is necessary to address homelessness effectively in Rhode Island.

• Coordinated Entry Approach (CES) aims to provide equitable access to housing.
• Investment in affordable housing is crucial.
• Statewide street outreach coordination is being enhanced.
• Emphasis on community partnerships and innovative solutions is essential.

Policy and Advocacy Efforts

Legislative efforts are underway to secure funding and improve shelter access.

• $4 million more than anticipated was allocated in state homelessness funds.
• Advocacy for legislation to remove barriers to shelter openings is ongoing.

 

 

 

State of Homelessness 2025

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