Advocates seeking increased support for plan to end homelessness

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PROVIDENCE — According to the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless, 4,868 Rhode Islanders experienced homelessness in 2012.

That’s why the Coalition recently released a “Report Card,” or a set of recommendations, meant to improve the state’s “Opening Doors to Rhode Island: Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness,” which seeks to decrease the number of people experiencing homelessness and the length of time people spend homeless. Governor Lincoln Chafee, the Governor’s Interagency Council on Homelessness, and the Housing Resources Commission, adopted the plan in April 2012.

The Coalition believes that while some progress has taken place, a stronger commitment needs to be made to secure funding that’s necessary to end homelessness in Rhode Island. The organization feels it is necessary to shift the focus from expensive short-term solutions like shelters, to the more cost-effective long-term remedy of housing.

“Opening Doors RI is an ambitious, but realistic plan to address the very serious issue of homelessness in our state,” Jim Ryczek, Executive Director of RICH, said in a statement. “The plan, however, is only as good as its implementation, which is why we did the Report Card, to get an assessment of how we are all doing on making the important transition from ‘sheltering’ those Rhode Islanders experiencing homelessness, to ‘housing’ them.”

Assessing the state’s efforts to provide more long-term housing for the homeless as slightly above average, the Coalition is requesting that the governor, along with the General Assembly, place $3.4 million in the 2015 fiscal year budget in order to provide the homeless with rental vouchers.

Lynn Loveday, state vice president of Rhode Island Council 94 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), an affiliate of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of International Organizations (AFL-CIO), which is backing the Coalition’s recommendations, said the vouchers would save the state money.

“It’s more affordable to house someone than to keep them homeless,” Loveday said, noting that the union endorsed the rental voucher initiative.

The Coalition’s other recommendations for the governor include increasing funding by $439,000 in the 2015 fiscal year budget for homeless prevention and assistance, as well as taking advantage of federal funding opportunities, such as Medicaid expansion and grant-funded programs for services. The organization also requests that the General Assembly support the $439,000 budget funding suggestion, and is encouraging them to back legislative initiatives that facilitate implementation of the plan.

The Coalition is advising state departments to work with the Governor’s Office and the Department of Administration’s Budget Office, as well as requesting that the homeless service provider community coordinate and collaborate to realize the goals of the plan, shift the focus from sheltering those who experience homelessness to housing them, and prepare for the transition from sheltering those who are homeless to housing those who are homeless.

“Together, let’s move the state forward by ending homelessness,” said Loveday. “No one should die homeless on the streets of Rhode Island.”

Other homeless advocates from throughout the Ocean State have also started implementing strategies to eradicate the problem.

Recent donation drives and gift-giving events benefitted Emmanuel House, the emergency shelter operated by the Diocese of Providence, as well as other local shelters across the state including McAuley House, House of Hope, Providence Rescue Mission, Lucy’s Hearth and Crossroads Rhode Island.

The week before Christmas, shelter staffers attended a clothing drive spearheaded by Loveday and the rest of Council 94. They collected donated items, including 327 new and used coats, along with gloves, hats and toiletries.

Emmanuel House Executive Director Dotty Perreault, attended the event. She said that the 35 men staying at the shelter were in need of garments.

“A lot of our guys are getting sick because they don’t have coats,” she said. “They weren’t prepared for this weather.”

Reverend Mary Margaret Earl, president of the Coalition’s board, as well as the associate director of McAuley Ministries in Providence, said events such as the drive are important because they help clothe the homeless and remind them that local communities care.

“It’s efforts like these that give not only something that will keep people warm on their bodies, but warm their hearts this season,” she said.

While Loveday and Council 94 led the drive, they had help from Giana Cappelli, 11, a sixth-grader at Immaculate Conception Catholic Regional School in Cranston. Cappelli contributed 190 coats, as she encouraged her peers to donate.

“I was overwhelmed with the kindness and generosity of my school,” said Cappelli, who set up a collection bucket at Immaculate Conception. “I’m happy to help others. It makes me realize how fortunate I am to have nice clothes and coats, a house and heat.”

Her mother, Lisa Cappelli, as well as her grandmother, Barbara Rourke, accompanied her to the event. They were not surprised when Cappelli decided to take action.

“She’s the kind of kid who likes to do community service,” Cappelli said of her daughter, with her grandmother adding, “She’s always looking out for somebody.”

Council 94 President J. Michael Downey also praised Cappelli, as well as the union’s employees, noting how they enjoy helping people in need.

Loveday agreed.

“But these donations are only a small part of the solution,” she said, pointing out that approximately 11 percent of the homeless community are individuals standing on street corners, while 40 percent are families, and 25 percent are children. “This is just the beginning.”