Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homelessness topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Nonprofits urge City committee to keep funding for homelessness programs, highlight recent housing gains
Summary
Service providers told the Special Committee on Ways and Means they need continued city grants to sustain housing and outreach programs; Crossroads asked for a $129,350 grant and described recent permanent supportive housing milestones while Amos House outlined its 'Hand Up' paid-work program for people experiencing homelessness.
Councilor Miguel Sanchez convened the Special Committee on Ways and Means public budget hearing on June 8, where nonprofit providers urged continued city support for homelessness services and related programs.
Michelle Wilcox, chief executive officer of Crossroads Rhode Island, thanked the council and said she supported the proposed budget and "in particular appreciation and support for the $129,350 grant" included in the mayor's proposal. Wilcox told the committee Crossroads served nearly 4,800 people statewide last year, manages more than 375 apartments (many in Providence) and recently completed the Summer Street Apartments "the largest permanent supportive housing in New England," a 176-unit development. She said a separate Health and Housing project will add 35 permanent supportive apartments later this year and that the organization and partners hope to create a total of 300 new permanent supportive apartments in Providence with future investments.
"City funding helps ensure that vulnerable Providence residents can access housing, shelter, case management, and supportive services," Wilcox said, adding that local partnerships are especially important amid federal funding uncertainty.
Representatives from Amos House described the city-funded 'Hand Up' program, which offers paid work to people experiencing homelessness while connecting participants to shelter, benefits, behavioral health supports and job-skills training. The program's chief program officer said crews perform tree care, farming and landscaping and collectively pick up "thousands of gallons of trash a year" from sidewalks and lots in neighborhoods across the city, including Elmwood, Huntington Avenue and Trinity Square.
Speakers framed the local investments as a bridge between emergency shelter and long-term stable housing. No formal motions or votes were taken at the hearing; committee members said budget amendments would be posted for the council to review and the committee will reconvene Wednesday to discuss proposed changes.
The hearing record shows persistent demand for permanent supportive housing and ongoing requests for modest, program-level grants that providers say maintain existing services and allow small expansions. The council has not yet released detailed amendment language or final vote tallies.
