Homeless in RI: Warming Center vs. Shelter – sitting vs. sleeping. Out of Providence. Updates.

Homelessness is key on everyone’s mind in Rhode Island – one does not need to be in Providence to hear the stories, bear witness to the pain. Here is an update as the weather relieves a bit from the biting cold – but a mild snow heads our way for the weekend – and bitter cold returns next week. Will we be ready? Will it all fall on cities and towns, individuals, radio talk show hosts, and the humanity of us all to raise the issue – and to bring forward solutions?

Warming Center or Shelter – sitting all night or given the dignity of sleep

Providence City Councilor Justin Roias took to “X” to make sure the public – and the media – know the difference, by definition, of a Warming Center and a Shelter. He wrote: “When public officials say that unhoused RIers have a place to go tonight because warming centers are available, they’re technically correct. But when the public at large hears “warming centers,” they often assume that means access to beds. That’s simply not true. I know I’ve made this point clear on this platform before, but warming centers mean that unhoused individuals will spend the night sitting in chairs, unable to lay down. If they’re lucky, they might have a table to rest their heads on. Imagine trying to make it through an entire night like that—cold, exhausted, and with no real rest. It’s a deeply inhumane situation. I urge reporters to make this distinction clear in their coverage. I know I’m just a city councilor, and I’m not here to tell you how to do your job—I know you get plenty of that already. But when this distinction isn’t made, I’m afraid we risk letting our government off the hook, because the public assumes these centers provide something they absolutely do not. The public deserves the full picture and of course, so do the people living through it.”

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Charlesgate’s Future

In a spontaneous comment to a local media outlet, during an interview about homelessness, the new RI Department of Housing Director Goddard, said she would advise the state to sell the Charlesgate housing units (2) just purchased by the state as the state should not be in the business of property management and that these units should be run by agencies who do that. Governor McKee responded to Goddard’s comments that he is not planning on selling the property, with the state having just purchase it. Goddard later went back on her comments, saying there are no plans to change anything right now with Charlesgate.

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Providence City Hall(ers) move to The DaVinci Center

The DaVinci Center opened up 24/7 for emergency shelter for the homeless, and to relieve Providence City Hall from being used. In its second night last night, the call was put out for volunteers and resources such as food (not pizza) and clothing, sleeping bags, etc. The DaVinci center on Charles Street is set to remain open as a shelter through Jan. 10. Approx. 2 dozen came through the Center last night as word spread of its availability. In the City Council meeting held last night, Council President Miller did not rule out the possibility of opening the Council Chambers as a shelter in the future.

When asked if homeless agency staff are readjusting their schedules to assist in the emergency warming centers and overnight shelters, Councilman Roias wrote, “Several individuals from various agencies are stepping up in their personal capacities, using their expertise, but not representing their organizations. It’s both beautiful and deeply unsettling—beautiful because people are coming together to fill the gaps, and terrifying because those gaps exist due to the failures of our city and state to meet this moment.”

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Providence City Council passes State of Emergency resolution

“We haven’t just ignored this crisis, we’ve actively let it rot.” – and with that comment, the resolution demanding Gov. McKee declare homelessness a State of Emergency proposed by Councilors Roias and Miguel Sanchez passed the Council with one abstention and one recusal, and will be presented to the Governor. The resolution is non-binding.

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Providence Diocese – Emmanuel House

The Diocese expanded their shelter to provide overnight shelter – at least through last night. The Diocese also expanded its heating hotline through the weekend.

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Homeless in South County

South County homeless providers are housing 12 families and individuals in the emergency overflow shelter apartments they manage. There is a family facility on the outer campus of URI. A WARM Center in Westerly. And Welcome House in Wakefield. Some people come in from New London and sleep in chairs at the Westerly shelter. (Frank Prosnitz, What’s Up Newp)

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East Providence Mayor DaSilva opens an “Overnight Emergency Shelter”

The East Providence shelter is unique in how it has set up carts and privacy dividers. They also are offering items for those in need:

East Providence is also recruiting volunteers to help: HERE

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Point-in-Time count set for last week of January

The Point In Time homeless count happens throughout the US, mandated by HUD, on the last full week of January – the specific date for Rhode Island is not yet known. Interesting to note that the data from January of 2024 is just now being used to work on the homeless problem of 2025.

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RI Coalition to End Homelessness

In a time of extreme need the Executive Director has been out of the office from Wednesday night of this week until Tuesday of next week:

“Hello! Thank you for your email.  I will be out of the office on Thursday, January 9th, returning Tuesday, January 14. I will have limited access to email.

If your message is regarding an urgent matter, please call Chief Strategist, Jennifer Barrera at (401) 500-5573. If you are facing homelessness and in need of assistance please call 401-277-4316, M-F 9 AM – 7 PM, Weekends and Holidays 2 PM – 7 PM. Please do not contact this email for accessing shelter.”

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Chorus grows for Gov. McKee to call for a Homeless State of Emergency

Petitions, public statements, resolutions by City Councils, callers to radio talk shows – it’s a cacophany directed at Governor McKee – though McKee has responded he will not be doing so as it may confuse the issue more than it already is. A demonstration is planned on the night of the Governor’s State of the State address:

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Statement from Haus of Codec, the 66% capacity program mentioned by Gov. McKee – raises questions about how Gov. receives his information

From Steve Ahlquist’s Blog comes a quote from Haus of Codec:

“…specifically, he stated that one of the only Rhode Island shelters at 66% occupancy was the Haus of Codec Emergency Shelter, which serves LGBTQ+ youth. We are deeply concerned by this misrepresentation of our services, particularly given the ongoing public health crisis surrounding homelessness. Haus of Codec is a 6-bed emergency shelter that provides housing, case management, food and clothing access, and transportation stipends to individuals aged 18-24. Contrary to the governor’s statement, our shelter is at full capacity, with every bed occupied. While we recognize the challenges posed by navigating the Coordinated Entry System—a State database for individuals experiencing homelessness—these obstacles have not hindered our ability to deliver critical, life-saving services to LGBTQIA+ youth in Rhode Island.

“Despite facing significant challenges, including a $25,000 funding reduction from the State’s Consolidated Homeless Fund (2023/2024 to 2024/2025), delayed contracts, slow reimbursements, and bureaucratic barriers to expanding capacity, Haus of Codec remains steadfast in its commitment to the community. We continue to serve our clients without interruption.

“We are disappointed that Governor McKee chose to single out a small, LGBTQIA+-focused organization without verifying the accuracy of the data he cited. The lack of due diligence in his remarks raises concerns about his commitment to inclusivity and effective leadership during this crisis. Furthermore, we note with concern the absence of any mention of the LGBTQIA+ community in the Governor’s 2030 Vision Plan, which fails to recognize the contributions and presence of LGBTQIA+ individuals as leaders, constituents, and taxpayers in Rhode Island.

“Haus of Codec stands in solidarity with politicians, advocates, faith leaders, and all Rhode Islanders calling on Governor McKee to treat homelessness as the public health emergency it is. We also urge the State to stop erasing the LGBTQIA+ community from its policies and plans and to ensure that our voices and needs are fully acknowledged and supported.

“Community members interested in supporting our mission to provide emergency services to LGBTQIA+ youth (ages 18-24) experiencing homelessness can contribute through a one-time or recurring donation, either monetary or in-kind. Visit https://www.hausofcodec.org/ways-to-give or connect with us on social media to learn more.”

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“Banning” from a Shelter

We have asked the question of multiple sources – the RI Coalition to End Homelessness, the Governor’s office, and the Community Care Alliance (northern RI) how one becomes “banned” from emergency shelter (motel) room for a specific period of time. We heard from a person who was banned for supposed violations – details which we have – for three months. With banning to be “up” on January 2nd, now comes CCA’s director, Ben Lessing, to say the person in question was offered other alternatives. We pursued – and will continue to pursue – how one becomes banned from CES – and serves their “sentence” outdoors in frigid weather.

This is a developing story – with updates provided during the day