Housing and Homelessness, March 2020

Affordable Housing

PROVIDENCE – In an effort to help nonprofits with direct-service programs impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Way of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Foundation announced Tuesday that the organizations jointly created the COVID-19 Response Fund.

United Way of Rhode Island CEO and President Cortney Nicolato told PBN Tuesday the two organizations have already raised approximately $1.5 million in grants to support nonprofits across the state, and plans to raise more. The grants, Nicolato said, will provide assistance for nonprofits’ operational needs and relief during a “tumultuous time.”

America’s inequitable housing system is completely unprepared for the coronavirus
March 12, 2020

As COVID-19 (or the coronavirus) spreads and Americans prepare for potential quarantines, public health officials have recommended some advice for U.S. households: Namely, stock up two weeks of supplies, avoid crowds, and stay in your homes.

And that advice is fine for middle-class suburbanites with white-collar jobs. Sure, hop in the SUV and drive to the nearest Costco. Stash extra cases of canned beans in the pantry and frozen veggies in the basement freezer. Kids can hang out in their separate bedrooms or play in the backyard while parents conduct conference calls from the home office.

Of course, for people who lack these residential resources—especially those with unstable, crowded, or poor-quality housing—this situation is impossible.

To view the complete article, featured in Brookings, click here.
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Report: There’s an
affordability crisis in RI
February 20, 2020

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A lack of affordable housing in Rhode Island is causing major issues statewide, according to a report recently released by the Commission of Health Advocacy and Equity.

The report shows there are no communities in the Ocean State that have enough low-to-moderate income housing units, with most having one unit for every five eligible households.

The lack of affordable housing is projected to get worse over time, according to Joe Luca, the former president of the Rhode Island Realtors Association.

To view the complete article,
featured on WPRI 12, click here.

Homelessness

PROVIDENCE — As the coronavirus continues to spread across the country and world, Gov. Gina Raimondo has given one clear message to Rhode Islanders — stay home.

But for those with no home to stay in, the directive isn’t so simple.

“It’s great advice in this current crisis,” said Jessica Salter, chief philanthropy officer for Amos House, a social-services agency that manages the state’s largest soup kitchen. “It’s also an enormous amount of privilege to be able to stay in our homes.”

Healthwise, Rhode Island’s homeless population is already one of the most vulnerable in the state, said Caitlin Frumerie, executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless.

To view the full article, featured in the Providence Journal, click here.
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Stopping to chat instead of just walking by
March 14, 2020

He was on a park bench downtown, near the skating rink, and I almost walked past him.

It’s what we do as we move through our day — hurry past.

But a small struggle of his caught my eye.

He was trying to zip his jacket against the cold, but was unable to.

And still I walked by.

Then I stopped and asked:

“You need help?”

He did.

So I leaned over, aligned the pull tab, and zipped it up.

To read the full article, featured in the
Providence Journal, click here.
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Amos House converts part of facility to emergency winter shelter 
February 19, 2020

PROVIDENCE – Amos House, a nonprofit that has specialized in transitional and long-term housing services, including for people in addiction recovery, has, out of need, opened an emergency shelter for the winter months.

The organization announced its decision recently. The winter emergency shelter, at its main facility at 460 Pine St., was built to house its soup kitchen, classroom and office space.

The conversion for housing purposes will accommodate 45 people overnight. It was financed through the R.I. Office of Housing and Community Development consolidated homeless fund.

To view the article, featured in
Providence Business News, click here.