Coalition to End Homelessness unveils overview of issue in Rhode Island
(WJAR) — The Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness presented it's "Overview of Homelessness" to a special commission Tuesday, highlighting the increasing and troubling trends in arguably one of the state's most hot-button issues.
Executive Cirector Caitlin Frumerie laid out a 37-slide presentation before the Low and Moderate Income Housing Act Study Commission, a group made up of leaders and advocates from the state, local and community levels.
"Homelessness exists because there is a lack of housing. There's a mismatch with what people can afford and what is available," Frumerie explained during her address to the commission.
Frumerie and her team cited new data from multiple state agencies, including the state's Homeless Management Information System, HUD reports, and Rhode Island's Coordinated Entry System. The coalition says homelessness continues to rise and was exacerbated by COVID. As of now, it's estimated 1530 people experience homelessness in the state.
"We still have a mismatch on both supply and demand on the housing side and on the shelter bed side," Frumerie said. "We continue to see homeless increasing, unsheltered homelessness has gotten a little better as resources have been bought online, but it really is a coordination with all of us to make that happen and more needs to happen to Rhode Islanders who are outside."
The commission does not directly deal with problem of homelessness, instead focusing on the reworking of the LMIH Act and ways to address that issue through the act's framework.
"If we don't fix the nuts and bolts, we can throw all the money we want at it, and it won't change anything because it's a broken system," said House Minority Leader Mike Chippendale, a commission member. "There are ways that we can address this homelessness situation and from having people finding themselves in that situation and weave that into the LMIH act itself so that that mechanism is there."
Newly appointed Housing Secretary Stefan Pryor is also a commission member and told NBC 10 News on Tuesday building new, affordable housing, creating pathways out of homelessness and reorganization are his team's three "high priorities."
"We need to redesign the government agencies and stand-up this new housing department," he said. "I think the key is acknowledging we must have emergency and temporary solutions but build towards a future where there are permanent housing opportunities for everyone in Rhode Island."
In addition to the address, RI Coalition offered up some solutions to the homelessness and affordable housing crises. Among them are bringing back the Interagency Council of Homelessness, treating housing as healthcare to create stability, increasing the number of crisis housing units and shelters, and even implementing the Housing Problem-Solving fund, which would take $5 million of the state's budget to help tenants in need with various payments and fees.
"We need the resources and the coordination with each other," Frumerie told NBC 10 News.
In addition to the presentation, the commission named Representative Joshua Giraldo its new vice chair. The group meets again on Feb. 28.