Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Fewer people will lose their homes under a new $2.2 billion federal plan, Sen. Jack Reed said Tuesday at a news conference at Amos House, a soup kitchen and homeless shelter on Friendship Street.

Congress could approve the plan -- the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act -- in the next few months, Reed said.

The plan differs from past efforts in several ways, Reed said. It will help people in danger of losing their homes, expand the definition of homelessness, recognize rural homelessness and give local agencies more flexibility.

The money is needed, Reed said. With the economy failing, 1.5 million more Americans will experience homelessness over the next two years, he said. In Rhode Island, the number of homeless people jumped 43 percent in February, compared to the same year ago period.

"What Amos House is seeing at the moment is an unprecedented demand for services," Reed said. "And it's not just here, it's happening everywhere."

 Tags  homeless Providence RI Sen. Jack Reed

Comments

RI Conservative said:

Why does it take months for congress to approve funding to help Homeless shelters but the Theater and Arts organizations in RI already recieved over $1 million in stimulus money....What does it take to get americ to wake up?

Link | April 7, 2009 7:03 PM
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