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Homeless in RI: More funding. More tents. More need. Explosive 35%+ increase expected.
First day of Winter is in 82 days
An update on the state of homelessness in Rhode Island and beyond – as weather cools, encampments grow, and winter is 82 days away
Point in Time Count predicts an approximate 30-35% increase in homelessness going into this season. In 2023 the total count was approximately 1,800 – from the Point in Time study, that number rises to 2,400 in 2024 – and this is expected to be an undercount.
STATEWIDE
Interagency Council on Homelessness – Efforts begun to re-establish the Interagency Council on Homelessness, which was mandated years ago, began meeting, but stopped in 2015. Advocate Vin Marzullo has re-ignited efforts to get the Council running again
The Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services is announced applications for $2.25 million in grants to support homelessness prevention initiatives. They say, “This initiative has been aligned with efforts from the Department of Housing to ensure a comprehensive and robust approach to homelessness prevention.”
RI Department of Housing has not yet replaced Stefan Pryor, who resigned weeks ago to enter private employment. Several candidates are under consideration.
RI Coalition on Homelessness is set to give their State of the State on Homelessness on November 19th at the CIC Building in Providence from 5:30 to 7pm.
The Rhode Island Continuum of Care, whose Designated Collaborative Applicant is Rhode Island Housing, is the organizer and arbiter of the annual agency performance evaluations. Performance scores are here: https://www.rihomeless.org/coc-evals
Veteran Homelessness – The VA in Providence says it has assisted in housing 187 homeless veterans. Operation Stand Down RI also works on assistance with housing
Children and Homelessness – RI Kids Count provided this information in their annual report on the state of children in Rhode Island.
In addition, the numbers for youth 18 to 24
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PROVIDENCE
Crossroads RI
- Planning their upcoming fundraising event, Neighbors Helping Neighbors on Oct. 1st.
- 4-year construction project of 176 1-bedroom apartment building on Summer St. in Providence continues, where residents will pay 1/3 of what they make.
- Agency said it served 4,000 Rhode Islanders in 2019 – in 2024 that figure will be 7,000
- Planning to renovate 9 by 11 rooms at main Crossroads building
- Planning to offer apartments to medically vulnerable people experiencing homelessness
Mayor Smiley – Meeting held with Mayor Smiley and housing advocates at Mathewson Street Church where 300+ people are fed daily – more are elderly and veterans
MAE Organization for the Homeless
Planning to expand services in Rhode Island – Gala planned
Pallet Shelters – Echo Village
Approved for Providence. Hold ups are at the state level (per Mayor Smiley) with zoning and infrastructure, as well as concerns about soil contamination. Governor says it will be open before winter (Dec. 21st).
Emergency Shelter and more beds
The 2nd building of Charlesgate Apartments was purchased for use as emergency shelter and housing for homeless – 105 units are expected to become available – when it will be ready for use is unclear with renovations needed. Rhode Island Current story on this addition: https://rhodeislandcurrent.com/briefs/r-i-department-of-housing-closing-in-on-charlesgate-purchase/
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ENCAMPMENTS
Each city is seeing increasing encampments, unusual this late in the year but good weather has put off the critical need to find housing by some weeks. Since the US Supreme Court withheld government’s efforts to eliminate encampments without reprisal, municipal leaders have taken to heart efforts to move encampments along.
In Providence, Mayor Smiley has vowed to eliminate encampments as we approach colder weather. One located off Huntington Ave., off Elmwood Ave., off Branch Avenue will be moved soon.
Encampments were cleared next to the AMP and at the highway overpass downtown – hazmat groups cleared syringes and garbage was picked up – Spox from AMP said these homeless are not looking to go anywhere, they are asking for money from venue attendees and using it for drugs. Encampment re-populated overnight and a small fire had to be extinguished and it was cleared again. City is now working on permanently sealing off the area.
In West Warwick, there is an encampment behind Hogan Elementary School with nearly a dozen tents and two dozen individuals. A second encampment is behind West Warwick Manor, a senior housing authority. TODAY the West Warwick Town Council will vote on encampment rules. (see below)
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CRANSTON
Cranston City Council report that the homeless individuals visited by a few members after the last Council meeting are now in temporary housing. These were part of the encampment report that informed parents there were people living in the woods behind Stone Hill Elementary.
Cranston has passed an ordinance to form an advisory committee to the city on homelessness.
Mayor Hopkins has, by Executive Order, and request to the Council, made it known how the city will deal with encampments:
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WEST WARWICK
See encampment info, above…
The West Warwick Town Council held a discussion on encampments and passed 2 motions – one, instructing the Town Manager and Solicitor to bring an ordinance back to the Council on how to eliminate homeless encampments in the town – and two, to dispatch more police to the encampments. The discussion and vote will take place TONIGHT.
Civic Center in town will be used as emergency shelter this winter
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CAPE COD
A Cape Cod housing group will be able to consolidate three shelters into a former nursing home in South Dennis
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FALL RIVER
Council passed an ordinance to declare encampments illegal. Police can now fine, ticket, or arrest
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NEW YORK CITY
Venezuelan gangs are “hiding” among homeless shelter communities
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CALIFORNIA
California, under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s leadership allocated $24 billion to address homelessness and housing during the last five fiscal years – 9 state agencies administered more than 30 programs aimed at preventing or reducing homelessness. (https://calmatters.org/housing/homelessness/2024/04/california-homelessness-spending/)
Anyone with information on the homeless situation in Rhode Island can comment, below, or send information for our periodic updates to: [email protected]
I believe that the Cranston ordinance is the original. My understanding is that there is no fine. How does one fine people who have nothing?
As to the rest of the article, How many times has the pallet housing been delayed? Isn’t Dec. 21st the third time?
The Governor is on vacation. He seems to ‘delay’ everything. No answers to the coalitions involved, another delay on the pallets, the Washington Bridge destruction is ‘delayed’. Was his plane ‘delayed’ as he headed out of state? It will probably be ‘delayed’ on his way home.
That seems to be his go-to answer – ‘delayed’. No explanation, not even an excuse.
This is the Rhode Island way of doing things. Keep putting it off with the hope it will go away.
H
Nancy, thanks for your continuation of speaking the truth regarding the disaster of the housing crisis. My blood boils as winter approaches and we have nothing but silence from those at the statehouse and City. Back in August A group of advocates along with RI Coalition sent a letter to the Governor, Speaker, and Ruggeri outlining our suggestions for the new Housing Director. We NEVER got a response. What we know is that they are waiting for the election to be over. ITS THE MOST INSANE STATEMENT I HAVE HEARD. We have stooped to a new low. Its obvious that this is a the bottom of there lists. So the election is more important that helping people get a safe, warm and secure place to live. I am aware that they want to build housing and I support that. BUT WHAT ABOUT TONIGHT. No one ever mentions that. Its disgraceful.
Also we are organizing a group of people who will be picketing ECHO. Enough is enough.
Again another failed opportunity for our friends who are unhoused.
Everyone needs to remember this when election comes around. Please don’t vote for people who have not advocated for our friends who are unhoused. They are hurting and need our support. Please email [email protected] if your interested in joining us about ECHO village
Thank you, Janice. We’re in it for the long haul on this issue. The Crossroads new building is into YEAR FOUR in its construction. You are right, where will people sleep TONIGHT? We are not California – outdoor encampments are dangerous and unrealistic here in New England. Without the large Armory, and with a 35% increase we are fearful of what this will look like this winter. Seeing a young mom, pan handling on a highway exit with at least 3 small children sitting in a 3 foot patch of grass, is so unacceptable. But as we look at this we also ask, what is the answer for this woman and her children? So much need…