Noting a 34.9% increase in Rhode Island, the 2024 State of Homelessness is stark

Wages are too low and rents are too high. Even currently sheltered people are suffering from this economic burden.

I had the honor of being the emcee at the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness’s 2024 State of Homelessness event at the CIC Providence last night. The evening addressed the current data and outlined solutions to preventing and ending homelessness. Board Chair Susan Gunter and Executive Director Kimberly Simmons led the presentation.

“With a growing number of people experiencing homelessness and limited resources, we must continue to work together to address barriers and be housing-focused,” said Director Simmons.

The data was stark and disturbing. Homelessness increased in Rhode Island by nearly 35%, the largest increase in years.

Broken down, we see the number of single individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Contributing factors include low wages and high rents, of course, and neither issue is likely to be solved in the short term.

The Point in Time count “is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January.” This is the data HUD uses when allocating funding.

Black and African American households make up 5.4% of Rhode Islanders but account for around a quarter of the people experiencing homelessness in the State.

Do we have enough shelter beds in Rhode Island? No.

Despite adding more beds, the number of people needing emergency shelter continues to rise.

Same with people awaiting housing. There is simply not enough.

There is much to do:

United States Senator Jack Reed submitted a video recording in lieu of his presence, stating his commitment to the housing crisis and commending the work of the Coalition. “I am laser-focused on securing more funding for our advocates on the ground,” said Reed. “This year, the state of housing, high cost of rent, and homeownership is a national topic for both sides of the aisle. I am hoping that this newfound attention will push Congress to make substantial investments that are long overdue. I am committed to working with each of you to find innovative solutions and to ensure we have the resources to put those solutions to work.”

The Coalition’s Voices of Homelessness speaker, Wilma Smith, shared her story of her lived experience and journey to getting back on her feet. “We need to be humane when connecting people with the problem and have a compassionate approach toward those experiencing homelessness,” Smith said. “No one asked to be put in that position; it’s not a blame game.” Consider inviting a Voices of Homelessness speaker to your event.

The Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness works collaboratively with advocates, providers, and faith-based organizations to create and advance lasting solutions to prevent and end homelessness. Notably, the Coalition, alongside advocates and constituents, lobbied and successfully passed the country’s first Homeless Bill of Rights in June of 2012.