South Kingstown Homelessness Nonprofits Get $151K In Grants

RHODE ISLAND — Gov. Dan McKee's administration allocated $151,000 for two nonprofits in South Kingstown helping people experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of becoming homeless.

The grant funding came from the state's Consolidated Homeless Fund. South Kingstown's grants were part of a state package giving more than $11 million to 27 nonprofits across the Ocean State.

"Addressing the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness and identifying affordable, permanent housing solutions continues to be a top priority of the McKee-Matos Administration," McKee said in a statement. "We could not do this important work without the dedicated service providers who step in up remarkable ways to support this population. I also thank Speaker Shekarchi and Senate President Ruggerio for supporting this program and for their partnership in taking bold action to address Rhode Island’s housing crisis in our 2023 State budget."

CHF provides grant funds primarily to nonprofit organizations that provide services to the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless. Eligible activities include:

• Essential Services – Support for individuals and families who are in an emergency shelter.
• Renovation Costs – Major rehabilitation costs of shelters or conversions of buildings into a shelter.
• Shelter Operations – Maintenance (including minor or routine repairs), rent, security, fuel, equipment, insurance, utilities, food, furnishings, staffing and supplies necessary for the operation of the emergency shelter.
• Rapid Rehousing/State Rental Assistance – Housing relocation and stabilization services and short and/or medium-term rental assistance as necessary to help a homeless individual or family move as quickly as possible into permanent housing.
• Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) Lead Eligible Costs – Costs of contributing data to the HMIS designated by the Continuum of Care.

"Thanks to Governor McKee’s leadership, we are making a monumental investment through the Consolidated Homeless Fund that will better serve individuals and families in crisis," said Secretary of Housing Josh Saal. "The flexibility provided through the CHF will enable service providers to maintain and expand homeless shelter resources, expand emergency services for high need populations, offer rental assistance, and carry out other necessary programs to ensure that we make homelessness a brief and rare occurrence."

Nonprofits receiving grants in South Kingstown were the Domestic Violence Resource Center and the Welcome House.