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Homeless in RI: “A season in my life”. Pallet Shelters ordered. MA office use. Slow Dignity Bus
Photo, Mathewson Street Church, Providence
Street Sights – RI’s homeless magazine and resource guide
Janice Luongo produces a regular, monthly publication targeted to the homeless population in Rhode Island. A mix of purposeful information, issues discussion and advocacy, sharing the writing of others and even a poetry section where individuals experiencing homelessness can submit their work. It is as much cultural as it is a resource book, reflecting the need for immediate information as well as reaching deeper into the soul and spirit of the person who will hold this in their hands. The December issue is #140.
The Holidays are upon us and still we have hundreds of people living outside. The failure of this is unspeakable. There are no words to express the tragedy this is for our sisters and brothers. As the front page states “What do homeless people do for Christmas? What they do every day. Try and survive, find a meal, a warm place to go. Most Organizations are closed. One unhoused person told me that it doesn’t matter what day it is for him. It’s all about trying to take care of himself. Stay warm, find food and other necessities.
The December issue of Street Sights will be the last of 2023. It came out at a time when this Christmas, according to those who count the homeless, estimate more are on the streets, in their cars, in tents in encampments, than in prior years. It also comes at a time when more resources, both monetary and experts have been mobilized to address this dire need in Rhode Island. Not unique, as most states are experiencing similar if not much worse situations, the need is both long term, where policies and laws can be worked on, and short term, where stepping out of the box might be the only tact that works.
The holiday issue begins with this message from Luongo, the editor:
“For all those who control the funding for City and State, you should be ashamed. Knowing that there are still people living outside. It’s unacceptable. Outreach, support, and basic needs are what is most needed. There is definitely a need for more outreach workers. Please reach out to Street Sights if there is anything we can do, we will try our best. Stay blessed and be safe. I hope you like the new magazine style we have for our paper. Thanks to the Met School in Providence who is working with us to provide our new design for us. Please send feedback to [email protected].”
The Mission of Street Sights
Street Sights serves as a forum for advocates, homeless, and formerly homeless people, students, state officials, and the general public to share accurate and honest information about issues relating to homelessness. Our goal is to shed light on a subject not often addressed and, to some degree, ignored.
Information
There is a human interest story on a formerly homeless family. There is a reprint of RINewsToday’s latest “Homeless in RI” article, one of a series of over 70 stories we have done. There is an update on Medicaid, what it is and how to certify or recertify. There is an update from Mathewson Street Church, including purposeful information that their bathrooms are open to the public and when clothing and toiletries can be secured. (https://www.mathewsonstreetchurch.org/mathewson-street-friendship-breakfast)
There is an article on the state of homelessness by a tireless advocate, Steve Ahlquist, former editor of UpRiseRI, whose blog can now be found on SubStack.
There is an update on the confusing state of RIPTA, what it’s financial situation is and suggestions on moving forward to continue to provide this essential service for those who live on the streets.
There are health updates. One on the overdose crisis. The next on the perils of smoking by Dr. Irene Glasser.
Pastor Linda Forsberg of the Church Beyond Walls provides a message of inspiration. There is another inspirational message – and yet another. And another – and yet another.
There is a wordsearch!
And, a section of resources – a section of resources just for veterans, with discounts and support groups noted.
Street Sights ends with a very complete list of food banks, meal sites, and sustenance resources. But not before capturing our attention with four poems and a call for new “authors” to submit and see their “writing on the wall”.
The one that catches our eye is “Hope, Faith and Love” by James Logan. Logan says he lives in a tent. He also says this:
So, as I continue to dwell in my tent and face the challenges that come with it, I will remind myself that this is a season in my life—a season of growth, of faith, and of learning to see beauty in the midst of my trials. And I will press on, knowing that even in the most difficult moments, God has a plan for me, one that won’t harm me, but one he intends for me to prosper. My God get all the Glory!
To download the December, 2023 issue of Street Sights:
https://rinewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/SS-DEC-23-14-197.pdf
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Housing Commission to meet Thursday
The Special Legislative Commission to Study Housing Affordability will meet Thursday, Dec. 7, at 1 p.m. in the House Lounge on the second floor of the State House. The commission is to discuss possible legislation for the 2024 legislative session. No public testimony will be taken at this meeting. The meeting will be televised on Capitol Television, which can be seen on Cox channel 15 and 61 for high definition, on i3Broadband on channel 15 and on channel 34 by Verizon subscribers. It will be live streamed at http://rilegislature.gov/CapTV/Pages/default.aspx.
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Diocese of Providence
The Diocese is expanding its program to Woonsocket and expanding it with Emmanuel House. In addition this week they kicked off their Keep the Heat On campaign Rhode Islanders in need can receive assistance through the website https://HeatRI.com/ or by calling 401-421-7833.
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State Housing Agency Update
Rhode Island’s new state housing agency is asking for more ammunition in the battle for home affordability, including what would be the largest housing bond in state history and a new tax on short-term vacation rentals. subsidize home construction, create new shelter beds, help residents facing eviction and begin expanding the stock of new public housing.
Stefan Pryor said 318 new emergency beds for winter is his goal and they have 220 under signed contracts now and very hopeful they will soon make the goal. 150 more beds are in the immediate pipeline. This represents a 30% increase from 2022.
Pallet shelters are also ordered with 2 locations, Providence and Pawtucket being considered. Providence may be the one chosen, though no location was disclosed. 30-45 structures are on order, though the “village” would not be constructed until 2024. They are single occupancy, with companion bathrooms and offices to accommodate 24/7 staff.
Pryor noted ADU legislation will see consideration once again this year. Two issues that could be considered beyond the obvious zoning issue is does the person in the ADU need to be related and can the owner of the home move into the ADU and rent out the larger home that may be more unmanageable for them.
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One Neighborhood Builders
400 homes in various stages of development across Rhode Island reports ONB. This includes our largest project ever, Center City Apartments in East Providence, which will turn three acres of blighted land into 144 affordable, mixed-income apartments!
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Memorial Hospital, Pawtucket
Pryor noted that ownership restructure is being worked on, though it is legally difficult and may not be ready for use in this winter time.
A former board member of Memorial writes, “As a former chairman of the board of Memorial Hospital who spent countless hours fund raising and expanding services at the hospital. I am outraged that the facility is not being used to support the community. That is what it is for, if not what it once was. Can’t we get Care New England and the buyer/owner and the AG’s office on the same page? When will the RI Department of Housing and the Governor’s office show some leadership.to move forward. Use the Bully Pulpit and make some progress… John J. Partridge to RINewsToday, 11/12/23
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Encampments
5 people were arrested in a Woonsocket encampment for outstanding charges – shoplifting and narcotics, and other charges.
New encampment in Providence at Huntington and Cranston St. behind crop of bamboo – tents visible – the city will be dispatching social workers and working to move them out, hopefully to placement.
There is also an encampment behind the old Benny’s off North Main Street – and another on the Gregg’s, North Main Street property, both of which the city is working on. Mayor Smiley says he just needs a complaint if an encampment is on private land, then the city can engage.
Boston News
Census reports 15,500 people in Massachusetts experienced homelessness on a single night in 2022
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu expressed confidence that the recent dismantling of the Mass. and Cass encampment would remain effective with ongoing police enforcement in the area. The city reports that 102 people were moved from the area, with 73 placed into low-threshold housing, 20 were to shelters, 3 were sent to specialized shelters, and 7 were reunified with friends or family.
Logan Airport – new migrants arriving by plane are sleeping there now that the state no longer must provide emergency housing – however, the port authority says they can’t stay. Authorities are trying to relocate them.
In downtown Boston, 25 families are now being housed at the state department of transportation offices – they must leave during the day and the spots are only good for 2 weeks.
Catholic Charities has opened an emergency shelter for 27 migrant families, or 81 individuals – this is through a grant from the United Way – program will run through spring.
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Nantucket
The Warming Place and a coalition of island churches are launching an overnight shelter for adults starting tonight. The location will rotate among a handful of Nantucket’s religious sanctuaries – including the United Methodist Church, the Summer Street Church, and the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House – six nights per week, from Monday through Saturday. Dinner and breakfast will be provided to all, and the shelters will be open to those in need from 6 p.m. at night through 7:30 a.m. the following morning.
There is already a day program in a food program on the island.
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Crossroads – Crossroads RI has once again received a gift from the Bezos Foundation – for $5 Million. Their announcement: “Crossroads plans to utilize the funds from the grant to significantly reduce the number of families experiencing homelessness in Rhode Island by developing more family housing and expanding programs and services designed to help families end their homelessness as quickly as possible.”
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Woonsocket & The Dignity Bus & OSDRI Women’s Veterans Housing
The Dignity Bus is still not fully licensed and operational. A few outstanding issues, and Woonsocket politics, including the resignation of the Mayor, have slowed the active use of the bus. Councilwoman Valerie Gonzalez provided an update. There have been issues with getting the bus properly insured, some plumbing hookup issues, and permitting. These could be resolved this week. CCA will be operating the bus.
Next to the bus is an unused rectory building which is being renovated by working with the Diocese of Providence to house 15 people. It will also include showers and services that will serve those in the building, and those in the bus. The rectory building will likely be ready in the spring.
Councilwoman Gonzalez also reports success with the CES management system, so local programs, statewide, that are funded and managed locally, can go off the list and offer their services to their local people. This CES regionalization impacts 75% of services and Woonsocket has worked with HUD on these variances.
Operation Stand Down RI opened a transitional housing home in Woonsocket this week – read all about this repurposing of an historic home that will now serve up to 10 women veterans:
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Southern Rhode Island
An unused home on the outer boundaries of the University of Rhode Island campus is being adapted for 12 families in need. The center will be run by The Warm Center in South County.
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January 2024 Point in Time Count
This count takes place annually and will take place again in January – volunteers are needed. More info: https://www.rihomeless.org/_files/ugd/8df93f_56cbf0481e5148a5a0cf762b9e6dc185.pdf
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RI Coalition to End Homelessness annual report – State of Homelessness
The report was presented for 2023 at an evening meeting. It was noted that there have been 12,000 calls for assistance, from 2,286 unique callers. People in need of shelter are put on an electronic waiting list called the shelter queue. At the end of last month, “726 persons were waiting in the queues, including 65 households with children, 104 households without children, and 314 single adults,” (without a home of their own).
Here is the full presentation:
The first day of winter is 17 days away – December 21, 2023
There are people in need of social services in an encampment of 3-4 visible tents on Cohan Blvd at Brook Street in Fox Point, Providence. Fortunately its not below freezing and with colder temperatures on the way I hope all are ok. Where do all the tents come from?
Many of the tents come from the advocacy groups such as the Coalition to End Homelessness and others. Thank you.
Thank you for the great listing and summary of the efforts and plans underway to address homelessness. We need to accelerate and champion less rhetoric and more concrete action as winter comes!
My son is homeless an I can not locate him, usually he’s somewhere by now for the winter an he called me an tells me he’s safe an where he is for the winter, but Thanksgiving came an went an I haven’t heard nothing which is so not like him to not at least call me or text me around this holiday season , an I’m very worried something may have happened to him, an I filed a missing person report with the state police because with not hearing from him at this time of year is not at all like him!! Please help these homeless people, get them off the streets!! I’m praying I find him!!🙏🙏🩷
Donna, if your son may be in RI I would suggest getting in touch with the RI Coalition to end Homelessness or Crossroads or Amos House – our heart goes out to you at this time.