PROVIDENCE — Gov. Dan McKee announced Thursday that Rhode Island will invest approximately $20 million in year-round homeless shelters and services, with Newport County organizations receiving more than $1.3 million to expand local access to housing assistance.
The funding, distributed among 25 service providers for 51 projects statewide, includes significant investments in Newport County-based organizations that serve the region’s homeless population.
Newport Mental Health received $210,233 to operate street outreach services and a regional access point in Newport County. Lucy’s Hearth, the county’s primary emergency shelter for women and families, received $824,592 for its emergency shelter operations.
Child & Family, which has a presence in Newport County, received $134,265 for supportive housing services, while Family Services of RI, also active in the county, received $375,000 for housing stabilization programs.
The regional access points represent a major shift from the state’s previous system, which relied on a single statewide hotline for shelter placement. Seven regional hubs, including one mobile unit, will now serve as one-stop centers for shelter referrals, housing problem-solving and crisis response services.
“We are focused on addressing homelessness in a way that is both compassionate and effective, ensuring Rhode Islanders in crisis can quickly access shelter and the services they need,” McKee said in a statement.
Despite reduced federal funding, the state will maintain nearly the same shelter capacity as last year — 1,327 beds for approximately $20 million compared to 1,389 beds for approximately $33 million in the previous year. The cost savings came through data-driven spending caps and innovative approaches from service providers.
Housing Secretary Deborah Goddard said the reforms address longstanding system problems identified by providers and advocates.
“Regional Access Points, investments in prevention and diversion programs, and a cost-effective year-round shelter system are major steps toward a housing-focused response that reduces barriers and connects people to resources more effectively,” Goddard said.
The announcement also marks the end of hotel-based emergency shelters funded by the Executive Office of Housing. The hotels were introduced during the pandemic but proved costly and limited providers’ ability to offer comprehensive services.
The $20 million in funding will support year-round emergency shelters, street outreach teams, rapid rehousing programs and the new regional access points. About $18 million comes from state-generated funding sources, with the remainder from federal funds and local contributions.
The largest single awards went to Crossroads RI, which received $5.5 million across multiple programs, and Amos House, which received more than $4.8 million for family and older adult shelters and essential services.
Amos House
Essential Services $400,000.00
Fam & Older Adult Shelter $3,750,000.00
Harrington Hall Meal Service $301,665.60
OFS $350,000.00
Better Lives RI
Pete & Andy’s $78,000.00
Street Outreach & Drop-in $520,000.00
Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center
DV Emergency Shelter $488,966.67
Catholic Social Services
Emmanuel House $700,000.00
Child and Family
Supportive Housing $134,265.00
Community Care Alliance
Dignity Bus $180,000.00
CCA Housing Problem Solving $100,000.00
CCA Street Outreach/Access Point $246,154.27
Woonsocket Family Shelter $285,000.00
Crossroads RI
Domestic Violence Shelter $245,000.00
Family Shelter $475,000.00
Harrington Hall $900,000.00
Hartford Ave $520,000.00
HPS, Mobile Diversion, Regional Access Point, & Day Services $1,200,000.00
Rapid Rehousing $1,650,000.00
Women’s Shelter $525,000.00
Domestic Violence Resource Center
Emergency Shelter $55,000.00
Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center
Permanent Supportive Housing $110,000.00
Phase II Shelter $78,000.00
Safe Shelter $10,000.00
Family Services of RI
Housing Stabilization $375,000.00
Foster Forward
Rapid Rehousing $153,600.00
Supportive Services $58,122.98
Haus of Codec
Emergency Shelter $130,000.00
House of Hope
ECHO Village $585,000.00
Enhanced Street Outreach $400,000.00
Lucy’s Hearth
Emergency Shelter $824,591.97
McCauley Ministries
Case Management & Transportation $55,270.11
Newport Mental Health
Newport Street Outreach & Regional Access Point $210,233.07
Open Doors
Pawtucket Regional Access Point $113,150.00
Pawtucket Shelter (1139) $1,421,614.10
Providence Shelter (Plainfield Men’s) $297,000.00
Pawtucket Housing Authority
Rapid Rehousing $250,000.00
RI Coalition to End Homelessness
Constituent Services $58,602.28
HMIS $420,000.00
Sojourner House
DV Regional Access Point $150,000.00
Rapid Rehousing $215,000.00
Safe House for Victims of Abuse #1 $98,972.50
Safe House for Victims of Abuse #2 $203,335.00
RI Legal Services
Homeless Prevention & Diversion $400,000.00
Thrive
Housing Problem Solving $120,000.00
Street Outreach $150,000.00
Turning Around Ministries
Day Center $50,000.00
Washington Square Services Corp.
McKinney Shelter $145,000.00
WARM
Emergency Shelter $700,000.00
Rapid Rehousing $180,000.00
Street Outreach & Regional Access $300,000.00