I began compiling this page on December 1, 2022. That day there were at least 30 tents on the Smith Street side of the State House on the plaza (Providence Journal page A1). According to the RI Coalition to End Homelessness website, at least 1339 Rhode Islanders have no homes, 507 of whom are living outside today. It should not surprise anyone that it gets cold well before December, and there is an extraordinary, unprecedented need for housing. The numbers of people unable to keep a roof over their heads and/or at risk of losing their housing have been increasing for months. This situation needed at least a temporary solution months ago. And it's needed a permanent solution for many years.
- But most pressing is to get people out of the cold.
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“We had called for a lot of resources in the summer for shelter and housing, and unfortunately those weren’t all received….. [N]ow it’s hard to deploy stuff really quickly. You need that time. This is a public health crisis and it really necessitates a state of emergency and treating it like the emergency that it is.”
- - Caitlin Frumerie, Executive Director, Coalition to End Homelessness. Uprise RI, Dec 7, 2022
- Several online news sources have been highlighting the situation.
- (Note: Boston Globe, Providence Business News, and Providence Journal links may require a subscription. Providence Journal links might stop working after 4 weeks. If you have a subscription you can go into the online archive and retrieve older articles.)
- Pre-2022
- 'Zero: 2016' project aims to decrease homelessness population. Newport Daily News, Updated Nov 14, 2014
- Reed delivers $3.2M to help prevent youth homelessness. Sep 17, 2021
- Breaking: Boston to remove "Mass and Cass" homeless encampment. Rhode Island to announce a plan to address homelessness TODAY. RI News Today, Dec 16, 2021
2022 Jan-Oct
- Governor McKee, State Leaders Announce Availability of Funds to Support Creation of Affordable Housing. Press Release, Feb 2, 2022
- Why we are outraged with homelessness and leaders who don't act - Mary T. O'Sullivan. RI News Today, Apr 25, 2022
- Governor McKee Announces awards to six organizations to combat homelessness in RI. RI Press Release, May 26, 2022
- Homelessness in Rhode Island has exploded: Data from the 2022 Point-in-Time Count shows 1577 adults are experiencing homelessness, including 155 households with children. Uprise RI, May 31, 2022
- Bills to address housing crisis signed into law, RI General Assembly Press Release, July 5. 2022
- Governor McKee Announces Over $11 Million in Grants to 27 Nonprofit Agencies to Address Homelessness in Rhode Island, RI Press Release, July 26, 2022
- Affordable homes continue to be out of reach for low-wage workers in RI. Press Release, Homes RI, Jul 28, 2022
- $5M more to expand capacity of Rhode Island homeless shelters, incentivize landlords to rent. RI News Today, Sep 8, 2022
- Homeless in Rhode Island, Boston Globe, Oct.3, 2022
- Miles apart on Homeless Issue. Protest - and Celebration of Housing - both TODAY, 10am. RI News Today, Oct 3, 2022
- Pop-up winter homeless village in the works - Cranston bolts at being state's go-to location. RI News Today, Oct 11, 2022
- Governor: Commit to no tiny shelter village for homeless in Cranston now - and after - election. RI News Today, Oct 25, 2022
November 2022
- As temperatures drop, advocates call for state to build 'pallet shelters. Providence Journal, Nov 1, 2022
- Tiny house joins tents for homeless at the State House again. Where are those 274 new beds? RI News Today, Nov 1, 2022
- "This year is a game changer" - Hotels, a hospital , and a warehouse in mix to shelter the homeless. RI News Today, Nov 2, 2022
- NBWBRV celebrates completion of seven new homes in Pascoag. NRI Now, Nov 3, 2022
- Homelessness on agenda: Cranston votes 'just say no.' Gov debate says state has no plan. RI News Today, Nov 4, 2022
- Update: Homeless at the Rhode Island State House. RI News Today, RI News Today, Nov 18, 2022
- Exclusive: State admits those camping at State House not offered alternative shelter. Uprise RI, Nov 20, 2022
- Homeless Rhode Islanders and advocates rally outside Gov. McKee’s office, calling for more shelter space. Boston Globe, Nov. 21, 2022
- Homeless Rhode Islanders say they're being left to freeze outside the State House, Providence Journal, Nov 22, 2022
- Shame! Shame! Shame! Deadlines loom for officials - and homeless. RI News Today, Nov 22, 2022
- Days after homeless people and advocates rallied outside governor’s office, R.I. will fund a portion of the shelter beds requested. Boston Globe, Nov. 23, 2022
- In the Arena with Eileen Hayes, Amos House - and Joe Paolino. RI News Today, Nov 27, 2022
- Promises made - and broken. Homeless get a waiting list as state unprepared for crisis. RI News Today, Nov 28, 2022
- Smithfield motel leased for $1.44M for new homeless shelter approach. Richard Asinof. RI News Today, Nov 29, 2022
- As tents outside the State House multiply, Cranston Street Armory will be a warming station. Providence Journal, Nov 30, 2022
- R.I. plans to open 24/7 warming station for homeless people in Cranston Street Armory. Boston Globe, Nov. 30, 2022
- Approval sought for Cranston Street Armory to Open for 50 homeless - after Dec 7. RI News Today, Nov 30, 2022
December 2022
- Advocates for the homeless protest Governor McKee during Christmas tree lighting. UpriseRI, Dec. 1. 2022
- Cranston Street Armory News, WBNA, Dec. 1, 2022.
- Homeless in RI: Updates for Dec 2, 2022. RI News Today, Dec 2, 2022
- $1.44M given to agency to run homeless program, then state evicts them – Richard Asinof. RI News Today, Dec. 6, 2022
- Homeless in RI: “No path to get help just crushes people” – Rev. Duane Clinker. RI News Today, Dec. 6, 2022
- House speaker backs short-term use of armory as warming center for homeless. WJAR/msn, Dec 6. 2022
- $1.44M given to agency to run homeless program, then state evicts them – Richard Asinof. RI News Today, Dec 6,2022
- Homeless in RI: Cranston Street Armory to open "after December 7." Status today. RI News Today, Dec 7, 2022
- Tent Encampment at RI State House Given 48 Hours to Disband. GoLocal Prov, Dec. 7, 2022
- Cranston Street Armory faces hurdles to opening 24/7 warming station for R.I.’s homeless population. Boston Globe, Dec 7. 2022
- ACLU Says McKee’s Eviction of Homeless Has Serious Legal Issues, Threatens Court Action. GoLocal Prov, Dec. 8, 2022
- Governor McKee grilled on State House encampment eviction. Uprise RI, Dec. 8, 2022
- Update: Homeless at RI State House given 49 hours to leave, promising shelter. RI News Today, Dec 8, 2022
- ACLU calls on Governor to rescind notice “kicking people off State House grounds”, RI News Today, Dec. 8, 2022
- ACLU of Rhode Island calls on McKee to rescind order for homeless individuals to leave State House grounds, Boston Globe, Dec. 8, 2022
- Frustrations mount over plan to use Cranston Street Armory to help the homeless this winter. Boston Globe, Dec. 8, 2022
- As freezing temperatures take hold, hundreds remain homeless in RI. Uprise RI, 12/12/22
- Governor McKee claims those opposed to State House eviction want to keep people homeless. Uprise RI. 12/12/22
- “We cannot ignore the peril of children…” DCYF letter on legal obligation to report neglect in homeless crisis, RI News Today, Dec 15, 2022
- Hearing over homeless encampment postponed; National Guard activated to set up warming station. PBN, 12/14/2022'
- Homeless in Rhode Island: ACLU, evictions, court actions. RI News Today, Dec 14, 2022
- RI National Guard activated by Governor McKee to ready Cranston Street Armory for homeless. RI News Today, 12/14/22
- State House Eencampment: where do they go from here? Providence Journal, 12/15/22
- RI Housing Secretary Saal letter fails to grasp the reality of homeless encampments. Uprise RI, 12/15/22
- Homeless in RI: Children, Go where I send you. RI News Today, 12/13/22
- Judge sides with McKee, after ACLU sues over eviction of tent encampment from State House. GoLocal Prov, 12/16/22
- State demands homeless information from Coalition. They say, "we don't have it." RI News Today, Dec 16, 2022
- Cranston Street Armory will open Friday night as 24/7 warming center for homeless Rhode Islanders. Boston Globe, 12/16/22
- Homeless in RI: Armory Opens, State House evictions hold up in court. RI News Today, 12/17/22
- State House plaza homeless encampment cleared by Governor McKee. Uprise RI, 12/17/22
- Homeslessness in RI: How a hard-working, middle[class family spiraled into homelessness. Boston Globe, 12/18/22
- Homeless in RI: The state says "the system is broken" as Coalition responds to deadline for data. RI News Today, 12/20/22
- Housing Secretary Saal: "Administration is 100% committed to ending homelessness." WJAR Channel 10, 12/19/22
- Editorial and Opinion by the Coalition: RI Coalition to End Homelessness responds to McKee administration letter. Uprise RI, 12/19/22
- Letter from RI Coalition to End Homelessness to Secretary Saal, Dec 19, 2022
- Homeless in RI: Deadline 4pm TODAY for Coalition data to go to Governor as crisis efforts continue. RI News Today, Dec 19, 2022
- Coalition stands by count of RI people lacking shelter. Providence Journal, Dec 21, 2022
- Tara Granahan interview with Margeaux Morrisseau of Coalition to End Homelessness. WPRO, Dec 21, 2022
- Governor implored to take action on homeless crisis before deaths occur. Uprise RI, Dec 22, 2022
- RI readies program to benefit homeless. Providence Journal, Dec 27, 2022 (Pay for Success)
- Homeless in RI: Broken system has more staff, more money - and more homeless. RI News Today, Dec 27, 2022
- Plans for former hospital foiled. Providence Journal, Dec 29, 2022
- Homeless in RI and looking back a decade on the saddest story of 2022. RI News Today, Dec 31, 2022
January 2023
- R.I. housing secretary fails to submit key report expected to shed light on state’s housing crisis. Boston Globe, Jan 3, 2023
- Speaker Shekarchi addresses Rhode Island’s housing and homelessness crisis in opening speech. Uprise RI, Jan 4, 2023
- Governor McKee avoids constituents, sneaks into inauguration via back entrance. Uprise RI, Jan 4, 2023
- Woonsocket tent encampment is dismantled. Providence Journal, Jan 5, 2023
- Advocate: Removing homeless encampments isn’t the answer. WPRI, Jan 5, 2023
- Homeless in Rhode Island: Two encampments cleared - Death of Woonsocket homeless man reported. RI News Today, Jan 5, 2023
- Homeless in Rhode Island: Pawtucket problem well known to city. Housing czar report. City updates. RI News Today, Jan 6, 2023
- Days after deadline, R.I. housing secretary submits critical report. Boston Globe, Jan 6, 2023
- RI housing secretary's report may not be compliant with state law. Boston Globe, Jan 10, 2023
- Woonsocket City officials called out on ‘cruel’ homeless encampment eviction. Uprise RI, Jan 10, 2023
- Homeless in Rhode Island: Housing "czar" resigns; couples shelter, Armory complaints, pallet shelters. RI News Today, Jan 11, 2023
- Rhode Island's embattled housing Czar Saal out, will Pryor take over? GoLocalProv, Jan 11, 2023
- Saal resigns as R.I.'s housing secretary. PBN, Jan 11, 2023
- Woonsocket Mayor responds to accusations about homeless encampment eviction on conservative radio. Uprise RI, Jan 11, 2023
- Rhode Island Foundation emergency grants for food, housing, heating. RI News Today, Jan 12, 2023
- Report: RI slowest in the nation for new housing construction. PBN, Jan 12, 2023
- Big changes considered to RI affordable housing law. Providence Journal, Jan 13, 2023
- Exclusive: Uprise RI interviews those unlawfully evicted from W oonsocket homeless encampment. Uprise RI, Jan 13, 2023
- An urgent call for RI leaders to deal with homelessness. Benedict F. Lessing, Jr., Op Ed, Providence Journal, Jan 14, 2023
- Homeless tent cities being banned across the US. Providence Journal, Jan 15, 2023
- Stefan Pryor to lead state housing agency. Providence Journal, Jan 19, 2023
- Pryor named new R.I. housing secretary as part of department leadership restructuring. PBN, Jan 19, 2023
Another news aggregation page is on RI Coalition to End Homelessness
