CRANSTON, R.I. -- The most recent numbers of homelessness in Rhode Island show a system at "a dangerous tipping point," the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless and other advocates said at a news conference Wednesday.
A "Winter Shelter Assessment Point in Time Count" taken Dec. 12 showed 996 homeless that day. That is 146 more Rhode Islanders than were homeless during a count taken in September 2011, to which the coalition compares the Dec. 12 count.
The state's shelter system is at a 419-bed deficit, according to the count.
Advocates called on Governor Chafee and other state leaders to address the shortage of shelter beds, as well as long-term solutions by funding the state's "Opening Doors Rhode Island" plan to end homelessness.
The conference was held at Harrington Hall, the state's largest congregate shelter.
From The Journal's video archives:
Providence Journal video by John Freidah
More than a place to sleep: In R.I., a 'housing first' solution for chronic homelessness
This video was published June 12, 2012: With a homeless population consistently in excess of 4,000 people, Rhode Island advocates hope to follow a housing-first model and national trend to put a permanent end to the cycling of homeless people in and out of shelters and save money in medical costs at the same time. Larry Kraus of Providence, who has spent years in and out of the state's largest homeless shelter, Harrington Hall, at the Pastore center in Cranston, hopes for a place of his own, while William Howard of Warren moves into an apartment, thanks to a federal grant to The Providence Center.