By Paul Davis
PROVIDENCE -- The state's growing homeless population could surge because of federal cuts to housing and shelter programs, advocates at the State House said Wednesday.
Because of the sequester -- automatic federal budget cuts that went into effect March 1 -- the state could lose more than $3.6 million for programs that help the homeless, said Jim Ryczek, executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless.
The cuts couldn't come at a worse time, Ryczek told lawmakers gathered for a hearing on the issue.
The last of the state's winter homeless shelters is scheduled to close next week, leaving more than 30 people without a bed. And family homelessness is on the rise.
"It's the perfect storm," Ryczek said.