EDITORIAL

Homeless Coalition report good news but work not done

Posted 3/4/14

For the first time in seven years, the Rhode Island Coalition of the Homeless was able to announce a decrease in the overall homeless population when they released 2013 data at the State House last …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in
EDITORIAL

Homeless Coalition report good news but work not done

Posted

For the first time in seven years, the Rhode Island Coalition of the Homeless was able to announce a decrease in the overall homeless population when they released 2013 data at the State House last week.

The 2013 data revealed that the overall homeless population in the state decreased nine percent (4,868 to 4,447), the homeless family population decreased seven percent (678 to 631), the homeless children population decreased 13 percent (1,277 to 1,117), and the homeless veteran population decreased 12 percent (299 to 264).

While this is great news for the state, the Coalition and RI Family Shelter did report that those experiencing chronic homelessness are staying in shelters longer. RI Family Shelter executive director Patti Macreading explained that when she became executive director the average length of a shelter stay was three to six weeks; today it is three to six months.

However, a nine percent decrease in the state’s homelessness population and declines in the homeless families, veterans and children populations are still nothing to scoff at. This news should be recognized and celebrated.

And rightfully so, the coalition and other homeless advocates plan to use these decreases as proof programs from the state’s Opening Doors RI plan to end homelessness are working. They hope this will convince the General Assembly to keep funding at the level it is now, if not raise it.

In a statement regarding the decreases, Coalition executive director Jim Ryczek said, “We have long known how to end homelessness in our state, but we have needed the funding to make it a reality.”

The fact that homeless populations have declined should serve as proof that the programs provided for Rhode Island’s homeless are working; it took time to see the effect, but it is working. The coalition even noted a silver lining for the chronic homeless because the $750,000 in rental vouchers recently approved by the legislature is assisting 125 of the most chronic homeless find homes.

These programs are helping Rhode Islanders who have fallen on hard times; there is no reason funding for these programs cannot remain level, especially since there is proof they are successful.

If possible, the funding should be increased so more people can be helped and Rhode Island can be brought that much closer to their goal of ending homelessness in the years to come. It appears we are on our way. The process should not be halted by funding cuts.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here