Recently, nearly 50 Rhode Island lawmakers urged Governor Dan McKee to declare homelessness a statewide public health emergency. In a letter led by State Senator Tiara Mack, they highlighted the urgent need for more resources to help those without homes in the state.
The lawmakers expressed that Rhode Islanders, especially working-class families, children, and veterans, need immediate protection and support. This call for action came shortly after McKee announced plans to expand winter resources for the homeless as frigid temperatures hit the area.
Despite opening temporary winter hubs in places like Westerly and West Warwick, concerns remain about the lack of adequate services during extreme cold snaps. Lawmakers emphasized that more needs to be done to support unhoused individuals in these difficult conditions.
Senator Mack indicated that many housing service providers had voiced frustrations about the current situation and the pressing need for long-term housing solutions. Declaring homelessness a public health emergency would unlock additional resources and funding. It could also facilitate the creation of more affordable housing units by bypassing certain regulations.
One notable project is the Emergency COVID Housing Opportunities Village, also known as the ECHO Village, located in Providence. This facility consists of 45 pallet shelters. Construction was completed in March 2024 but has faced delays due to fire safety regulations. An emergency declaration might allow these regulations to be overlooked.
Lawmakers argue that housing is a critical health issue. Mack pointed out that healthier living conditions lead to better overall health outcomes for residents. Last January, a count revealed over 2,000 people in Rhode Island were homeless, while the state has one of the highest rates of chronic homelessness in the nation.
Experts like Jennifer Barrera from the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness described the housing situation as alarming, attributing it to years of poor planning and a lack of investment in affordable options. Mack identified factors like the opioid crisis and rising rental prices as significant contributors to the current housing crisis.
Currently, there are 1,252 state-funded emergency shelter beds available. While the emergency hubs provided additional space, they were intended for temporary use during extreme weather events.
As temperatures dropped sharply in early January, outreach teams worked hard to connect individuals to emergency shelters. Many faced challenges accessing these services. Eventually, when some still needed shelter, City Councilors opened the City Hall chamber as a temporary refuge, despite criticism from city leaders about the approach.
For the past few years, the Rhode Island Housing Advocacy Project has been advocating for a formal declaration of a homelessness emergency. This situation has worsened since the pandemic, with reported homelessness figures climbing, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Recently, McKee announced an additional $65,000 in funding to support housing initiatives, including emergency winter hubs. While these measures are welcome, Mack emphasized the magnitude of the crisis, pointing out that resolving it will require a collaborative effort from multiple state agencies.
