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Rhode Island homeless programs get $11m in federal grants. Here's where it's going.

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Wheeler Cowperthwaite, The Providence Journal
·3 min read

Rhode Island state and nonprofit agencies that serve the unhoused received a cumulative $11.5 million in federal funding, an increase of $1 million over the grants from last year.

The funding is being provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to 13 groups for 40 different programs. The "Continuum of Care" grants are "designed to promote communitywide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness," according to the department's website.

Sen. Jack Reed touted the money, and the increase in funding, as an important way to protect vulnerable people in the state.

"An alarming shortage of affordable housing stock continues to be a major issue facing our state," Reed wrote in a news release. "It is critical that the federal government steps up to assist so we can provide unsheltered people with a roof over their head and the supportive services they need.”

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Reed wrote that he advocated for increased funding for the grant programs and in all, an additional $420 million for federal Homelessness Assistance Grants was appropriated for the Fiscal Year 2023 budget.

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Sojourner House receives new funding for rehousing programs

Sojourner House, which provides shelter, housing and support services to abuse victims, received a total of $2.7 million from the federal grants, a significant chunk of the organization's Fiscal Year 2022-2023 budget of $8 million, Executive Director Vanessa Volz said. Much of that grant funding was received the prior year, but Sojourner House received an additional $810,000 for its rapid rehousing program and an expansion of its permanent supportive housing program.

The money from the Department of Housing and Urban Development has allowed Sojourner House to build its "rapid rehousing" program, which gets abuse victims into permanent housing in a timely fashion.

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"These funds are not just rental subsidies; they allow us to provide services, mostly to families," she said.

Many abuse victims need a little extra help beyond just housing, including guidance on how to live independently, how to budget and, from the clinical side, getting help following trauma and abuse, she said.

"It's amazing what a difference it makes when they have that safe and secure housing," Volz said.

Sojourner House, which serves abuse victims, received $2.7 million from the federal government for its housing programs. Executive Director Vanessa Volz said the organization served 1,900 people last year but still has a waiting list of 150 families.
Sojourner House, which serves abuse victims, received $2.7 million from the federal government for its housing programs. Executive Director Vanessa Volz said the organization served 1,900 people last year but still has a waiting list of 150 families.

The extra funds are a huge help to the organization and are a "sustainable way" to get to the root of homelessness by giving people permanent, supportive housing, she said.

"We will always have the need for an emergency shelter program, but in terms of thinking about the long term, we need more affordable, supporting housing," Volz said.

While the group served 1,900 people last year, including children, the wait list is still 150 families long.

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A street view of the 176-unit apartment complex planned by Crossroads Rhode Island at Broad and West Franklin streets.
A street view of the 176-unit apartment complex planned by Crossroads Rhode Island at Broad and West Franklin streets.

"We don't know the true demand," Volz said. "The more work we do, the more visible we get, the more referrals we receive. I don't think we've tapped into the true need yet."

House of Hope in Warwick received a new grant of $190,000 for its permanent supportive housing at its Dean Street Studios, which has 51 housing units for the formerly homeless and people with disabilities.

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Crossroads Rhode Island, Coordinated Entry System receive money

Crossroads Rhode Island was one of the biggest recipients, with a total of $1.7 million, including $109,000 for its Beach Avenue apartments in Warwick, as well as $33,000 for the "Tower" at 160 Broad St.

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The Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless received $1 million, mostly for the coordinated entry system, which is supposed to be the entry point for anyone seeking services related to a housing crisis.

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Reach reporter Wheeler Cowperthwaite at wcowperthwaite@providencejournal.com or follow him on Twitter @WheelerReporter.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI gets $11M from federal government for programs to help the homeless