Woonsocket council advances lease for 50‑bed Open Doors shelter; camping ban wins first passage amid intense public comment

The Woonsocket City Council voted 7–0 on April 21 to give first passage to an ordinance that would lease 181 Cumberland Street to Open Doors for a temporary homeless shelter and later that evening passed, on first reading, an ordinance that would prohibit camping on public property, moving the measure forward 5–2.

The lease authorizes Open Doors to operate a 50‑bed shelter at 181 Cumberland Street under a 17‑month agreement that Open Doors’ leadership said would be entirely paid for with state funds. "This project will be fully paid for by the state, everything from utilities to trash removal," Open Doors co‑executive director Nick Horton told the council, and he said the lease would generate nearly $150,000 in rent over 17 months.

Why it matters: Council members framed the two votes as companion steps — creating temporary shelter capacity while giving the city a tool to address encampments that residents say have left public spaces unsafe and unusable. Opponents warned the camping ban risks criminalizing people with no immediate housing options; supporters said the ordinance provides a humane process tied to expanded shelter capacity.

Open Doors and referrals Open Doors, which runs shelters elsewhere in Rhode Island, told the council its shelters operate under strict rules including searches at intake and a no‑drugs policy. Horton said his staff would prioritize placements for Woonsocket residents and people living in local encampments. "Our number one priority is helping people move out of encampments," Horton said.

Community reaction Public comment filled the meeting. Speakers included people with lived experience of homelessness who said shelters such as Open Doors saved their lives and urged the council not to criminalize unsheltered residents. "The shelter saved my life," said Donald King, who said he moved from a tent into housing through Open Doors.

Other speakers urged caution. Michelle Taylor, vice president of social health services at Community Care Alliance, asked the council to postpone a vote on the camping ordinance and focus on adding permanent shelter and housing capacity, saying the lack of housing is the main driver of the increase in homelessness.

"Implementing this ordinance will not only not solve the homeless crisis within the city, it would exacerbate it," Taylor said, adding that many people need months or longer to secure permanent housing.

Council debate and next steps Council members said they would continue discussions but pushed different responses to the timeline. Council President Gendron and others argued the measures are complementary: adding beds while giving the administration a process to clear encampments when appropriate. Councilman Kenoyer said the ordinance offers "a ton of flexibility" and urged passage so the city can act now; Councilwoman Fox urged tabling for additional review and a work session on operational details.

Key provisions and clarifications - The 181 Cumberland Street lease is an initial 17‑month agreement; Horton said the state would provide operating funds and the lease would bring approximately $150,000 in rent over the term. - The camping ordinance requires at least 72 hours' notice to "readily apparent owners" before belongings are removed, and allows the city to remove and store abandoned items; the administration would determine the implementing procedures. - Enforcement language makes a first offense subject to a noncriminal municipal hearing and a second or subsequent offense subject to municipal court with a fine not exceeding $250 "at the discretion of the judge." The ordinance explicitly describes its enforcement as noncriminal.

Votes at a glance - 25 O 24 — Ordinance authorizing lease of 181 Cumberland St. to Open Doors (motion made by Councilwoman Gonzales; seconded by Councilwoman Fox): first passage approved 7–0 (Kenoyer: yes; Dubois: yes; Fox: yes; Gonzales: yes; Harmon: yes; Sierra: yes; President Gendron: yes). - 25 O 21 — Ordinance prohibiting camping on public property (motion made by Councilman Kenoyer; seconded by Councilman Dubois): first passage approved 5–2 (Kenoyer: yes; Dubois: yes; Fox: no; Gonzales: no; Harmon: yes; Sierra: yes; President Gendron: yes). - Related votes taken the same evening include several second‑passage and routine items (zoning and administrative ordinances, funding transfers and resolutions) that passed unanimously; the council set a work session to further review the camping ordinance before second passage.

What happens next The measures passed first reading on April 21. The council scheduled a work session to review operational details between first and second passage; second passage is not until the council's next formal vote cycle. Council members and the administration said they expect to refine enforcement logistics — including where and how the city would store property removed from encampments, whether third‑party contractors or public works would handle cleanup, and coordination with police and social‑service providers — before final approval.

Supporters and many public commenters urged the council to continue outreach with neighbors near the proposed shelter at 181 Cumberland Street and other stakeholders as Open Doors prepares to open service capacity.

Ending Council members said they intend to monitor shelter openings and operations closely and to reconvene in work session to address operational questions raised during the April 21 meeting. The council's action moves the city toward a combined strategy of expanding temporary shelter capacity and creating a regulatory framework for public‑space encampments.