McKee Awards $1.4 Million For 77 Shelter Beds In RI

RHODE ISLAND — Gov Dan McKee said his administration on Wednesday awarded $1.4 million to fund an additional 77 new emergency shelter beds.

This round of funding is in addition to $4.1 million distributed over the last six months that helped fund 274 beds, bringing the total number of new shelter beds funded in 2022 to 351, McKee said. With these additions, the Department of Housing expects the statewide shelter capacity to include more than 1,000 operational beds.

Rhode Island's new Department of Housing is also working to finalize additional initiatives that will add another 43 beds beyond the 77 announced Wednesday.

"Rhode Islanders deserve a safe place to sleep at night, and expanding our shelter capacity will help ensure we have the resources to support families and individuals who are experiencing homelessness," McKee said in a statement. "We thank the many shelters, nonprofit organizations and housing advocates across the state for their partnership with our state agencies as we work to ensure increased shelter capacity and longer-term housing solutions."