Members of General Assembly call on Governor McKee to declare homelessness a public health emergency

The letter was signed by 44 members - including Democrats and Republicans.

A bipartisan group of 44 legislators called on Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee to declare homelessness a public health emergency today.

“Your leadership is needed now to protect and save the lives of Rhode Islanders across our State, including our working-class neighbors, our children, and our veterans,” said the legislators in their statement to the Governor.

“In the past year, 54 Rhode Islanders have died because they resided outside in the elements. More have lost their lives because of diseases or illnesses they got as a result of their being homeless. It is our duty as Rhode Islander lawmakers to ensure every single Rhode Islander, no matter if they have a physical permanent address or they are our neighbors residing outside, have elected officials at every level of government willing to prioritize legislation and actions to protect them.”

The legislators emphasized the importance of immediate action to save lives. They also called on the Governor to address Rhode Island’s housing crisis using the resources provided by the General Assembly to the executive branch.

“By declaring a state of emergency, you can bypass the rules and regulations that prevent swift action, like opening up additional overnight shelters and dispersing funds to community organizations that serve our homeless neighbors all year long. The dedicated service providers and community organizations doing the work need to be reimbursed and additional funding allocated to continue filling the gaps left by our patchwork system of support. Governor McKee, this is an urgent and dire situation. You must act swiftly and guarantee a solutions-driven approach to this crisis by operating a fully functioning Department of Housing. We need a policy plan to address the housing crisis that impacts the lives of those who entrusted you to the office.”

The letter was signed by Senators Tiara Mack (Democrat, District 6, Providence), Meghan Kallman (Democrat, District 15, Pawtucket, Providence), Jonathan Acosta (Democrat, District 16, Central Falls, Pawtucket), Linda Ujifusa (Democrat, District 11, Portsmouth, Bristol), Ryan Pearson (Democrat, District 19, Cumberland, Lincoln), Pamela Lauria (Democrat, District 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence), Ana Quezada (Democrat, District 2, Providence), Bridget Valverde (Democrat, District 35, North Kingstown, East Greenwich, South Kingstown), Alana DiMario (Democrat, District 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham), Dawn Euer (Democrat, District 13, Newport, Jamestown), Melissa Murray (Democrat, District 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) and Victoria Gu (Democrat, District 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown) and Representatives Teresa Tanzi (Democrat, District 34, South Kingstown, Narragansett), Katherine Kazarian (Democrat, District 63, East Providence, Pawtucket), Rebecca Kislak (Democrat, District 4, Providence), David Morales (Democrat, District 7, Providence), Enrique George Sanchez (Democrat, District 9, Providence), Brandon Potter (Democrat, District 16, Cranston), Lauren Carson (Democrat, District 75, Newport), Jennifer Stewart (Democrat, District 59, Pawtucket), Edith Ajello (Democrat, District 1, Providence), Terri Cortvriend (Democrat, District 72, Portsmouth, Middletown), Susan Donovan (Democrat, District 69, Bristol, Portsmouth), Cherie Cruz (Democrat, District 58, Pawtucket), Josh Giraldo (Democrat, District 56, Central Falls), Kathleen Fogarty (Democrat, District 35, South Kingstown), David Bennett (Democrat, District 20, Warwick, Cranston), Julie Casimiro (Democrat, District 31, North Kingstown, Exeter), Matthew Dawson (Democrat, District 65, East Providence), Mary Ann Shallcross Smith (Democrat, District 46, Lincoln, Pawtucket), Grace Diaz (Democrat, District 11, Providence), Deborah Fellela (Democrat, District 43, Johnston), Patricia Serpa (Democrat, District 27, West Warwick, Coventry), Jason Knight (Democrat, District 67, Barrington, Warren), June Speakman (Democrat, District 68, Warren, Bristol), Karen Alzate (Democrat, District 60, Pawtucket, Central Falls), John Lombardi (Democrat, District 8, Providence), Mia Ackerman (Democrat, District 45, Cumberland, Lincoln), Carol Hagan McEntee (Democrat, District 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett), Jennifer Boylan (Democrat, District 66, Barrington, East Providence), Michael Chippendale (Republican District 40, Foster, Glocester, Coventry), Sherry Roberts (Republican District 29, West Greenwich, Coventry), Megan Cotter (Democrat, District 39, Exeter, Richmond, Hopkinton) and Jenni Furtado (Democrat, District 64, East Providence, Pawtucket).