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Homeless in RI: Chasing the Next Relief, Trapped in the Cycle we Built, Agencies Must Now Pivot
In our continuing series, Homeless in RI, we feature unique developments in Rhode Island to address the problem of homelessness in our state.
Publisher’s Note: Somehow, my personal phone number has found its way to be connected as a resource number for people looking to contact, most often, Open Doors, but also other service agencies. I take the calls – 3am from a strong-sounding man at Rhode Island Hospital – from a shaky sounding woman at 4pm – at midnight from an older sounding man – an informal touch. I don’t block the numbers, or turn my phone off. I look up the phone numbers they are looking for – even the ones that come at 3am. They usually have nothing to write with and are desperately trying to repeat back the number, afraid they will forget it. I tell them to call back if they need to. Sometimes we chat a bit. This, like this series, I can do.
Homeless campers on the embankment of Route 95, November 13, 2025 – Bernie Boudreau. On the other side of the street, is Crossroads.
We proudly publish the monthly issue of Street Sights, the last issue in 2025 – with temperatures falling into winter, with sundown coming as early as 4pm. Holiday time. Snow and ice in the forecast. Take a moment – read the stories. Street Sights is a magazine and resource guide written by – and for – those experiencing homelessness.
READ THE ENTIRE NEWSLETTER – HERE:
Street SightsDec2025[81]
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Share Your Story – Bernie Beaudreau
Bernie is an advocate for the homeless. He seeks to tell the stories of the individuals who find themselves in the cycle of homelessness. He does this so compassion and identification can move systems to better serve and adapt to a changing face of homelessness. Bernie’s stories are short, compelling, and inescapably elicit an emotional reaction. He has given a voice to the voiceless.
Boudreau has sent these stories to all Rhode Island local reps and senators as well as key leaders, along with this appeal:
“I hope you were able to read Part I which I sent on November 10. My purpose in documenting outreach to homeless folks and telling a bit of their stories is to increase our community’s understanding of the complexity of situations and the diversity of homeless populations–young, older adults, men and women, families with children–who have the one thing in common: They don’t have a home, a place to live that’s affordable and safe.
At the same time, I want to increase our understanding of the level of care that we as a state currently provide for the homeless–and the need to improve upon the homeless assistance system so that the most impoverished people in our state are not left out in the cold, literally.
We have the capacity to provide greater help to the homeless in our state on their journey to better lives. We need the will and determination to do so.”
Continue with Bernie Boudreau’s series in the Street Sights newsletter:
Street SightsDec2025[81]
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Open Doors opens new shelter in Woonsocket
OpenDoors has opened a new shelter in Woonsocket at 181 Cumberland Street, a three story building has been updated and renovated to provide 50 beds and around-the-clock support to the Woonsocket community. The spacious facility includes common areas, group meeting rooms, case management offices, showers, and laundry facilities to meet the residents’ needs.
The project is a partnership between OpenDoors, the City of Woonsocket, which owns the building, and the state of Rhode Island, which is providing the funding.
24 hours shelter. The spacious facility includes common areas, group meeting rooms, case management offices, showers, and laundry facilities to meet all the residents’ needs.
The new shelter replaces OpenDoors’ previous 40-bed facility located on Clinton Street, which had been operating since August. With 10 additional beds and expanded space, the new location allows OpenDoors to serve more Woonsocket residents in need while continuing to offer the stability and support that help people transition from homelessness into permanent housing. Most residents from the Clinton Street site have already moved into the new facility on Cumberland Street, ensuring continuity of care and community.
The new shelter will remain under contract through the end of September 2026. The project was made possible through a partnership between OpenDoors, the Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing (EOH), and the City of Woonsocket.
“This project builds on the work we have done over the past several months at our previous Woonsocket site,” said Nick Horton, Co-Executive Director of OpenDoors. We’re proud to keep this important work going and to continue making a difference in people’s lives.”
“Addressing homelessness requires collaboration, persistence, and compassion,” said Secretary of Housing Deborah Goddard. “This project reflects what can be achieved when the state, municipalities, and community organizations work together toward a common goal of ensuring residents have access to safe, supportive shelter and a path toward permanent housing. We’re grateful to Mayor Beauchamp and OpenDoors for their continued partnership and commitment to serving Woonsocket residents in need.”
“The opening of this year-round emergency shelter by OpenDoors in Woonsocket represents a meaningful milestone in our city’s commitment to ending homelessness,” said Woonsocket Mayor Chris Beauchamp. “We are working together to make sure that everyone in our city has a safe place to stay and the support they need to get back on their feet. It’s good for the people who need help, and it’s good for our whole community. When we lift each other up, the entire city grows stronger.”
Horton expressed gratitude for the collaboration that made the new facility possible. “A family of four came to our Clinton Street shelter a few months ago after losing their apartment and facing the harsh reality of sleeping outside, including their elderly father,” said Horton. “With support from OpenDoors, they were able to find stability and just recently moved into their own apartment. Stories like theirs are why we do this work – helping families and individuals in need not only find shelter for the short term but also help them get on the path to long-term housing stability for a fresh start.”
Mike Dorego Jr., a longtime Woonsocket resident who experienced homelessness and is now receiving services and support from OpenDoors, echoed that sentiment. “OpenDoors gave me a safe place to stay and helped me get back on my feet,” Dorego said. “They helped me replace my documents, find a job, and now I’m working toward getting an apartment and going back to school. It’s been a terrific experience.”
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Rhode Island Sues HUD as Change Upends Homeless Systems
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha co-led a coalition of 18 other attorneys general and two governors in filing a lawsuit in the federal District of Rhode Island against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for illegally upending supports for tens of thousands of Americans experiencing homelessness with abrupt changes that will limit access to long-term housing and other services.
HUD is drastically changing its Continuum of Care grant program in violation of congressional intent by dramatically reducing the amount of grant funds that can be spent on permanent housing and project renewals and putting new unlawful conditions on access to the funding.
According to press information,, these changes are “…requirements include that providers only recognize two genders, mandate residents accept services as a precondition to obtain housing, and punish providers in localities that do not enforce strict anti-homeless laws, all barriers that are in contrast to HUD’s previous guidance and Congress’ approval.”
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Pawtucket YMCA – About Shower on the Move
Shower on the Move is a mobile health facility empowering unhoused individuals through showers, clothing, food, health and hygiene products, and more. At the YMCA of Pawtucket, they hope to better bring services to the streets.
Shower on the Move Offers:
- Private, clean shower stalls
- Toiletries and Hygiene Kits
- Clean towels and clothing
- ADA-accessible stall
Who Can Use It?
- Anyone in need of a shower.
- No judgment. Just clean comfort.
Additional Services May Include:
- Connections to local support services
- Volunteer or outreach staff on-site
The YMCA of Pawtucket is collecting donations of clean, gently used clothing as well as toiletries for its “Shower on the Move” initiative. Shower on the Move is a mobile health facility empowering unhoused individuals through showers, clothing, food, health and hygiene products, and more.
93% of Rhode Islanders say housing costs are a problem and one in four has fallen behind on rent or mortgage payments, according to a recent URI study.
Pawtucket is one of the hardest-hit areas in the state and with cold weather approaching, those who are unhoused will be increasingly in need of services.
If you have clean, gently used clothing for adults you don’t wear, or wish to purchase toiletries or new clothing items to share with neighbors, drop them off at:
Pickup can be arranged for larger donations by contacting corey@ymcapawt.org. Families that are part of the YMCA’s Early Learning Centers can also drop them off at the ELC. Learn more about this program at http://tinyurl.com/ymcasotm.
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Shelter Pallets
The lease on the 45-unit Echo Village shelter pallet in Providence, designed to be open on an emergency basis for a year, has now been extended for another year – media reports have said that approximately 42 of the units are occupied.
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Woonsocket
Report from The Valley Breeze – Over the course of five months and more than 30 visits, totaling some 425 work-hours, Clean Team Woonsocket completed the cleanup of four of the largest homeless encampments in the city. At last count, these camps were used by 50 unsheltered individuals, with 20-25 others scattered in other camps around the city.
As scarce resources dry up, too many will find themselves on someone’s basement couch, or living in their car, or finally falling into the streets. One city councilor expressed astonishment that after all that’s been done, the number of those who are homeless is still high. Shelter beds and support services are needed to lift those who have bottomed out, but also community support and political will to prevent homelessness from happening in the first place.
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MAE Organization
This Thanksgiving, MAE had a goal to provide 50 families with Turkey Boxes—complete with a whole turkey, potatoes, pumpkin pie, and all the traditional fixings. They served 80 families. Eighty households received everything they needed to prepare a warm, delicious Thanksgiving meal — plus extra groceries to carry them through the weekend. They say, “This is the power of community. This is what happens when compassion multiplies.”
Urgent Need: XL & 2XL Clothing – As temperatures drop, our shelves are nearly empty of larger sizes.
Especially in need of:
- sweatshirts
- sweatpants,
- warm layers (men’s and women’s XL & 2XL).
Donation Drop-Off: MAE Center, 1221 Reservoir Ave. Cranston
During regular hours (or email us to schedule a time) or drop in our bin out front anytime.
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Emergency Warming Centers & Overnight Centers:
This year the list of emergency warming centers, which can change from time to time, will be maintained on the website of the Rhode Island Emergency Management System. Here is a link to that site:
https://riema.ri.gov/warming-centers
Another list maintains current 24/7 centers, to be open until spring of 2026:
https://housing.ri.gov/resources/individuals-experiencing-homelessness
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New Emergency Center Program in Works
From Steve Ahlquist:
Four Providence churches, downtown’s Mathewson Street United Methodist Church, the Open Table of Christ on Broad Street’s Providence/Cranston line, and the Community Church of Providence on the east side. The Providence Friends Meeting house, also on the east side, is considering offering space. The participating churches will open on-premises emergency centers when the “real feel”1 temperature is 22 degrees or less. Accomplishing this goal requires training people to perform the surprisingly complex and subtle job of ensuring the health and safety of those in need of shelter.
It’s unclear if these programs have found success – to read the article: https://steveahlquist.substack.com/p/four-providence-churches-launch-audacious.
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From Housing Network of Rhode Island
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Thank you to everyone who signed on to the Housing Bond Letter. In the end, we received 69 organizational sign-ons, a strong showing of support.
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We are hosting a call with Ben Haynie, Executive Director of Homelessness and Community Supports at the Executive Office of Housing, on Wednesday December 3, 1:00pm. You can register for the call here.
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HNRI would like to invite you to an informal networking event and appreciation event on Wednesday, December 3, at 5:00pm at Proclamation Ale located in Warwick, RI. Please see the attached invitation. There is no ticket or fee to register (please come!) but if you are in a position to do so we’ll gladly accept a donation at this link ($10 suggested).
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HNRI is hiring a Cross-Sector Systems Lead. More information about the opportunity can be found here.
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Last week several housing advocates spoke out against harmful changes to federal funding that threatens the housing stability of more than 1,000 vulnerable Rhode Islanders. This week, AG Neronha is co-leading a lawsuit with several other state AGs about these changes to HUD’s regulations for Continuum of Care funding. You can take action further action to oppose further cuts to federal funding for critical housing and homelessness using the resources at this link here.
New Competitive Application Process – Will Service Agencies Pivot?
The Rhode Island Continuum of Care (RICoC) has announced the opening of a funding competition for local programs that help prevent and end homelessness. This competitive process will determine which projects are included in Rhode Island’s application for federal Continuum of Care (CoC) Program funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The year’s funding competition is open to nonprofit organizations, units of local government, and public housing authorities, including new agencies such as transitional housing providers and faith-based organizations––all of which are strongly encouraged to apply. The program supports permanent and transitional housing and services for families, individuals, youth and young adults, survivors of domestic violence, seniors, and veterans, along with some other critical components of Rhode Island’s homelessness response system.
The competition follows recently announced federal rules that significantly limit the amount of funding communities may use for certain permanent housing programs.
Additionally, this providesopportunities for a significant number of new projects and project types from either new or existing provider agencies.
RICoC is focused on supporting applicants, running a fair and transparent competition, and maximizing the impact these important housing and services dollars have on Rhode Island and its communities.
What’s Different
RICoC’s competition has been adjusted this year following HUD’s 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), which made several significant changes that affect how communities can use CoC funding, including:
- Limiting Tier 1 to 30% of the Annual Renewal Demand (ARD)––a dramatic increase to the level of competition.
- Placing a 30% cap on permanent housing funding, which may require some programs to modify or transition their project designs.
- Expanding bonus funding opportunities for new projects, including those serving survivors of domestic violence.
- Disallowing certain project types that were previously eligible for funding.
Because of these changes, organizations may need to adjust their strategies or explore alternative program models.
RICoC will provide guidance to help applicants navigate these shifts. They hope to receive many more new project applications for the 2025 competition than in previous years.
The cap on permanent housing will force many current grantees to forego renewing their existing grants and instead apply for funding under a new program component. Additionally, the increased possibility of CoC Bonus funding will likely result in additional new project applications.
Application Deadline – Applications must be submitted through HUD’s e-SNAPS grant management system to the RICoC by December 12, 2025, at 3:00 PM.
Review and Selection Process – All applications will be scored using RICoC’s published FY2025 ranking and reallocation policies, which are available on the RICoC’s website. Applicants will be notified by December 30, 2025 about whether their projects have been accepted for inclusion in the Rhode Island CoC’s submission to HUD.
Competition Guidance, Support, Scoring, and Other Details
The full announcement, HUD guidance, scoring tools, and updates are available on the RICoC website throughout the competition period. To support applicants in understanding the new rules and the application process, RICoC held a virtual information session on November 25th.
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State of Rhode Island Winter Response Grant
From the Governor of Rhode Island:
Building on the McKee Administration’s August announcement of approximately $20 million to support 1,327 state-funded year-round shelter beds, Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing (EOH) announced $1.8 million in tentative awards through the State’s Winter Response Grant to service providers, municipalities, and community-based organizations. This investment will support the opening and expansion of seasonal emergency shelter beds, strengthening Rhode Island’s coordinated response for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. With this announcement, Rhode Island is adding 281 seasonal beds to its state-funded shelter system, for a projected total of more than 1,600 beds available for Rhode Islanders in need this winter. In addition to the more than 1,600 state-funded beds that will be available, the Winter Response Grant will support additional warming spaces, including approximately 200 cots and mats, to be used to meet community needs during high-demand periods.
This year’s Winter Response Grant projects fall into two categories: Seasonal Emergency Shelters and Flexible Winter Response Projects. These resources run from November to April.
- Seasonal Emergency Shelters offer safe, overnight accommodations from November to April, regardless of outside temperature. Many also provide daytime services such as meals, case management, behavioral health and substance use support, and housing navigation.
- Flexible Winter Response Projects operate on an as-needed basis during periods of severe or inclement weather. These efforts include warming centers, transportation to safe locations, and emergency pop-up sites that activate as conditions require, ensuring individuals who may not access traditional shelters still have access to safety and support.
A list of tentative awards to providers for seasonal shelter and flexible winter response projects are pending final acceptance of grant funding by awardees. Seasonal Shelter Awards:
- Community Care Alliance — $404,178.05
- Harvest Sanctuary — $114,022.00
- Hope in Jesus Ministry — $100,000
- Multi-Center for All — $100,000.00
- OpenDoors — $167,207.00
- WARM — $264,905.00
- Youth Pride — $120,707.00
Flexible Winter Response Project Awards:
- Crossroads RI — $99,801.00
- Rhode Island Council of Churches — $200,000.00
- MAE Organization — $77,500.00
- Town of West Warwick — $94,546.8
Thank you for caring and continuing to give the homeless a voice . We need more exposure on what is happening and more importantly, what is NOT happening for our homeless community. I applaud the faith community for trying to help, however having to sleep in a tent or on a bench when the temperature is below 40 degrees is inhumane and when temps are below 30 degrees, it is freezing. We have seen too many of our community die from hyperthermia over the years. When will it end? When all of those forced to live outside are dead?
Thank you, Paula – we try to keep the voices loud – they are seen, they are heard!