RI Service Providers To Receive $5M To Help Homeless This Winter

RHODE ISLAND — Gov. Dan McKee announced Wednesday $5 million in funding to provide emergency shelter capacity to Rhode Island's homeless service providers. The funding will fund 275 emergency shelter beds as we approach the winter months.

"Our homeless shelter providers have been frontline heroes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic," said Gov. McKee. "These much needed funds will allow them to provide critical services to Rhode Islanders who are experiencing homelessness. While this money provides important and needed assistance – there is much more work to do, including passing my Administration's RI Rebounds proposal currently before the General Assembly and finalizing a long-term housing plan that meets our state's housing needs."

McKee said his administration is combining several funding sources to meet the immediate need including planned reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Association, Community Development Block Grant CARES (CDBG-CV) funds, funds allocated by the State's Housing Resources Commission, and Emergency Solutions Grant CARES (ESG-CV) funds. The Office of Housing and Community Development is working to support providers to make the beds available within the coming weeks.

The following agencies will be operating Winter Shelter funded through these funds:

• Community Care Alliance
• Crossroads RI
• Domestic Violence Resource Center
• Emmanuel House
• Harvest Community Church
• Newport County Mental Health
• WARM