State officials delay closure of Cranston Street Armory warming station
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — Rhode Island Housing Secretary Stefan Pryor says the state is actively looking for a new facility to house the Ocean State's largest homeless population.
Pryor and AMOS House CEO Eileen Hayes hosted a town hall in Providence Thursday night to address the future of the Cranston Street Armory.
They assured a large group of community members that the facility would not be a long-term solution, however admitted they would need more time to shut down operations.
"I would be lying if I said that we're going to have a bed for every person that's been there by April 30," said Hayes. "It's not going to happen."
The warming center opened at the Cranston Street Armory in December 2022. The Providence City Council originally announced the Cranston Street Armory would be phased out by April 15.
Pryor said the state hasn't found a back-up, but they are exploring their options with the help of the community.
"We've identified dozens of possible locations," said Pryor. "Centers that are air conditioned into the warmer months where beds can be placed or already exist."
Providence residents have raised the alarm of an overwhelming amount of trash and drug paraphernalia filing the park next to the warming center.
Many of those constituents attended Thursday's meeting and urged the state to address the impact of the center on the south side of Providence.
Pryor thanked the community for its acceptance of the warming center but pointed to those concerns as reasons for why it needs to move.
He requested the public contact the state or AMOS House with any suggestions or leads one vacant lots or pre-existing properties.