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Council approves lease for 50‑bed Open Doors shelter at 181 Cumberland Street, 7-0
Summary
The City of Woonsocket authorized a lease with Open Doors for a 50‑bed shelter at 181 Cumberland Street (Ordinance 25 O 24). The lease was approved unanimously, with the council and mayor clarifying the city will not provide capital funding for the facility.
The Woonsocket City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 25 O 24 on May 5, authorizing the mayor to execute a lease with Open Doors to operate a 50‑bed shelter at 181 Cumberland Street.
The motion passed 7 to 0. Council members said the City is providing the facility under lease but will not fund the construction or improvement costs; Open Doors will take the site “as is” and is responsible for preparing the facility for use.
Council members and the solicitor clarified the city is not committing capital funds in the lease. Councilman Kenoyer asked whether the city would be providing funding; the solicitor and mayor confirmed the lease authorization does not include city funding for repairs or improvements and that the mayor will finalize lease details in substantially the same form as attached to the ordinance.
Supporters said the 50 additional beds supplement existing shelter capacity in Woonsocket. Council members noted the city and nonprofit partners already operate a number of services and said the lease expands emergency shelter capacity at a time some other shelter spaces will close seasonally.
Councilwoman Fox said she would vote yes and urged residents and advocates to continue pressing the council and city to expand services where possible. The lease passed on a roll call of all seven members present.
Implementation: Council discussion indicated Open Doors will operate and staff the facility; the city will finalize lease language and oversight provisions, but will not provide direct capital funding for improvements. Council members asked administration to coordinate with Open Doors and other providers to ensure referrals and outreach to people currently in encampments.
