Homeless in RI: Elderly Mom & Son Freeze to Death, Exposing System Failure – Vincent Marzullo

by Vincent Marzullo, contributing writer

The heartbreaking deaths of 75-year-old Irina Kozav and her 49-year-old son, Stanislaw, found frozen inside their car in The Miriam hospital parking lot on the East Side of Providence, are a stark and painful reminder of a crisis too many in our region and across the nation still fail to grasp fully. The pair, believed to have been living in their vehicle amid the recent brutal cold, succumbed to weather-related conditions that no human being should ever face. Their passing is not just a statistic — it is a moral indictment of our society’s failure to protect its most vulnerable.

Deaths like theirs echo other recent tragedies — a man found dead on a downtown sidewalk when wind chills plunged below zero, and countless others who suffer quietly in the cold. These losses underscore that homelessness is not an abstract social issue; it is an urgent public health crisis claiming lives.

Among those disproportionately affected are older adults, a segment of the unhoused population that is growing and especially vulnerable. Older individuals experiencing homelessness are often less physically resilient, more likely to have chronic health conditions, and far less equipped to survive extreme weather or prolonged exposure. Research shows that seniors are among the fastest-growing populations without stable housing, with systemic issues like rising housing costs and eviction pressures driving many into homelessness.

But these deaths and statistics should not be met with resignation — they demand action.

First and foremost, our response must be proactive and preventative. It is no longer sufficient to react only when temperatures plummet or when a tragedy makes headlines. Local governments, social service agencies, faith groups, health care providers, and community advocates must work collaboratively to identify those at greatest risk before catastrophe strikes. Regular outreach, especially during extreme weather, can save lives by ensuring individuals know where to find shelter and how to access it.

Second, our communities must expand access to safe, dignified shelter and permanent housing solutions that are appropriate for older adults and others with complex needs. This includes not only emergency shelters that stay open around the clock during severe weather but also supportive housing models that offer stability, healthcare access, and connection to essential services. Programs that foster coordination among housing, health, and social service sectors — like regional access points — can make it easier for at-risk individuals and families to transition out of homelessness.

Third, we must engage in comprehensive community planning that involves not just officials but residents, nonprofit partners, and individuals with lived experience of homelessness. Collaborative efforts help break down silos and provide the nuanced solutions needed to address complex problems like chronic homelessness. Organizations such as the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness already work statewide to coordinate services and advocate for systemic change — but they cannot do it alone.

Ultimately, the deaths of Irina and Stanislaw Kozav should compel us not to feel guilt, but to act with urgency and compassion. Each life lost on our streets is a failure of our collective will. We must honor their memory by ensuring that no one else is left to face the cold alone.

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Vin Marzullo

Vincent Marzullo served for 31 years as a federal civil rights/social justice director in Rhode Island with the Corporation for National & Community Service. Vin is a previous Chair of the RI Federal Executive Council which facilitated intergovernmental coordination and a former President of AARP RI. He has served three Rhode Island Governors, five Presidents, and is the Founder of USA Compassion Corps.