PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Advocates for the homeless accused Governor Chafee of "turning a deaf ear and a blind eye to the needs of the most vulnerable Rhode Islanders.''
"He had the power to do something to alleviate the homeless crisis, to help those Rhode Islanders experiencing homelessness, and instead, he chose to do nothing,'' said Jim Ryczek, executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless.
But state budget officer Thomas Mullaney said: "Every opportunity to address the homelessness challenges in Rhode Island is being explored.''
Along with publication of "A Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness,'' he said, the administration is planning to issue Affordable Housing bonds, approved last November, over the next two years ($12.5 million each year).
He said the budget reflects plans to "continue funding the Neighborhood Opportunities Program'' through Rhode Island Housing. In addition, he said, the Housing Resources Commission "continues to receive $2.07 million, which they provide as grants to local agencies.''