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Homeless in RI: Housing 2030 a plan for housing, not for homelessness. Spring update.
On page 48 of the Governor’s draft of Housing 2030, released yesterday – it notes: “The Department of Housing is currently developing a strategic plan on homelessness Housing 2030 is designed to be a plan for housing, not a strategic plan for homelessness”.
However, homelessness is mentioned consistently throughout the report. Review the report, HERE:
To further collaboration, the RI Department of Housing has posted the draft on their website so Rhode Islanders can review the draft plan and submit their feedback. The public comment period will remain open until May 23, 2025, providing an opportunity for all to contribute their perspectives.
Governor McKee’s release:
Governor Dan McKee and Secretary of Housing Deborah Goddard released a draft of Housing 2030, the state’s first housing plan since 2006, which sets a goal of permitting 15,000 new homes by 2030.
The core goal of Housing 2030—permitting 15,000 new homes by 2030—encompasses a diverse range of housing types, including affordable rental homes, affordable homeownership units, and middle-market homes such as duplexes, triplexes, and accessory dwelling units. The plan also emphasizes the preservation of existing affordable housing and supports initiatives to promote homeownership, particularly for first-time buyers.
The strategies outlined in the plan are designed to tackle key barriers to housing production, including restrictive zoning regulations, the rising cost of construction, and gaps in state and federal funding. The plan’s success will depend on the collective action of municipalities, developers, residents, and policymakers working together toward the common goal of ensuring that housing is affordable and accessible for all.
Governor McKee took the opportunity to note what has already been done in housing under his administration, providing this list:
- Passed the largest housing bond in state history – $120 million – to make housing more affordable and accessible to Rhode Islanders.
- Allocated $219 million in federal State Fiscal Recovery Funds for the production and preservation of housing units in the FY 2023-2025 enacted budgets.
- Of the 99 developments receiving funding through the RIHousing one-stop rounds, the 42 that received construction financing will deliver a total of 2,314 new homes. Nearly 80% of these units will be deed-restricted to remain affordable for Rhode Islanders. 372 units are already completed and online, with more on the way.
- Established a $30-million Statewide Downpayment Assistance program to help over 1,600 families and individuals become first-time homebuyers.
- Created the first-ever State Low Income Housing Tax Credit to expand affordable housing options for low-income households.
- Provided over $2.3 million in assistance to 92 homebuyers across 12 municipalities through RIHousing’s FirstGenHomeRI program, which offers $25,000 in down payment and/or closing cost assistance for first-generation homebuyers living in Central Falls, East Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, and parts of Providence and Newport.
- Increased affordable homeownership opportunities across Rhode Island for first-time homebuyers at or below 100 percent of area median income through RIHousing’s Homeownership Investment Fund.
- Developed a Home Repair Program to assist homeowners in distressed areas with necessary residential repair and rehabilitation costs, including electrical, heating, energy improvements, accessibility improvements, roofing repair/replacement, lead hazard reduction, and plumbing improvements.
- Established the Municipal Fellows Program, a new housing development-focused initiative, to provide support to cities and towns with planning, zoning, and/or development capacity to increase housing development. Eight communities currently have Municipal Fellows.
No date was given as to the plan coming out on homelessness.
MAKE YOUR PUBLIC COMMENTS – HERE: https://housing.ri.gov/data-reports/state-housing-plan-housing-2030
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Pope Francis
One of the anecdotal stories to come out after the death of Pope Francis was how, every year on his birthday, a small bakery made him a custom birthday cake – and he would order hundreds of small cakes to be made and boxed – and distributed to the homeless.
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Another DEATH
In North Providence there was a large encampment known to officials which had largely been left alone. On a particularly cold morning, a man living in the encampment attempted to warm himself using a propane tank. The tank exploded and the man was killed.
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In Providence
The Providence City Council voted 10-4 to prohibit issuing fines to people sleeping outside on public property. This does nothing to authorize public encampments or block their removal.
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In Woonsocket
The Woonsocket City Council approved unanimously, 50 new shelter beds to be managed by Open Doors. They also approved a bill that will prohibit camping on public property, which includes fines of up to $250 and the possible issuance of trespass orders.
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In San Diego, CA
In San Diego, an ordinance was based that anyone in encampments who refuses placement 3 times can be arrested.
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In San Mateo, CA
Tom Brady and others have donated $4.1 million to turn a house into a shelter for homeless youth in San Mateo — the hometown of coach Tom Brady — as a tribute to the neighbors and community where he was born.
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Homeless Bill of Rights legislation in RI
The Committee where the Bill of Rights came to be considered has recommended the measure be held for further study.
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Homelessness Dashboard
One new feature developed this year is the “DASHBOARD” created to show occupancy and vacancy rates of the various shelters across the state. While it is the end of April the occupancy is still well over 90% in shelters for the general public. Access this HERE: https://housing.ri.gov/data-reports/homelessness-data-dashboard – this information is live, scrollable, etc.
Info as of last night:
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Emergency Homeless Shelters
While no one agency is charged with maintaining this fluid, but important resource of information, the RI Coalition on Homelessness notes that the RI EMA is now maintaining it:
Warming & Cooling Center Information
Please find the most updated information on Warming/Cooling Resources we are aware of in RI below. Some have parameters in which a person is only allowed to come in for a period of time. Always call in advance to obtain guidelines which can change day to day depending on the status of the weather. Please refer to RIEMA’s website for any updates.
Warming Centers: https://riema.ri.gov/planning-mitigation/resources-businesses/warming-centers
Cooling Centers: https://riema.ri.gov/planning-mitigation/resources-businesses/cooling-centers
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Crossroads Silent
Several stories done about Crossroads new lighting feature at the top of their original building have left gaping questions to the state’s largest provider of services to the homeless. Our stories disclosed the building permit for the rooftop lighting, called “Re-Imagine Broad Street”, with a price tag of $695,000, confirmed with the company who installed the lights as the primary cost of the project with some ancillary items such as lighting panels, wiring, etc. There was also the building of the metal frame to hold the lighting. At one point Crossroads said the LED fixtures were powered by “solar, offsite”. RINewsToday has asked many questions of Crossroads – almost none of which has been responded to. Emails sent to the Executive Committee of the Board, including the president, have also not been responded to. An attempt to issue a request for information came back with a response that they are a private organization and do not need to disclose information.
In late March the lights went dark for a few days – and are now a magenta or pink/purple in color.
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