Advocates: State plan inadequate as RI homeless double
11:45 AM Tue, Nov 24, 2009 | Permalink
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Video: Watch a video of the rally PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A state plan to house Rhode Island's homeless this winter is woefully inadequate and could lead to more deaths during freezing weather, advocates said Tuesday. "Every winter we don't have enough beds for the homeless, but this year we have a crisis in our midst," said Jim Ryczek, executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless. Speaking at a rally at Beneficent Congregational Church, Ryczek and others urged Governor Carcieri to act quickly to find more beds for a growing homeless population. According to the coalition, the number of homeless men, women and children in the state has more than doubled in the last two years, to 1,518 in October 2009, from 664 in October 2007. Although the state recently increased the number of winter beds for the homeless by 88, the number is still 79 fewer beds than are needed, Ryczek said. The coalition on Oct. 29 surveyed the state's emergency shelters and found they were filled beyond capacity. They also found some 167 people living outside. Ryczek and others said they do not expect Carcieri to solve the problem alone. He should, however, meet with the "constituents and advocates who are eager to work with him to address the crisis." So far, Ryczek said, the governor has declined to speak to the group. 
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Why don't they use that empty facility at the ACI that Jim Hummel was talking about a few weeks ago? Was that ever resolved? I hear it's pretty nice. Lights and heat are on all the time anyway, so what would it hurt?
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Where is Tobin on this issue? No where because it doesn't involve talk shows and publicity for his desperate for cash organization.
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Temple Torat Yisrael is for sale on Park Avenue near Rog Wms Park entrance - large area for sleeping, meetings, training rooms, classrooms, full kitchen - they are eager to sell so they can start on their new facility in EG......a perfect use - not too near residential homes....sounds appropriate. and yes, i live in the area...
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Someone, preferably a decision maker, should look at the numerous vacant buildings at the Zambarano State Hospital at Wallum Lake. State buildings remain vacant while more people have no shelter?
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It sickens me whenever I hear that a group is having trouble getting a meeting with a Rhode Island governor. For God's sake, why does this keep happening? M. Charles Bakst8
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Why doesn't Bishop Tobin get involved with THIS issue?
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Where are the all powerful democrats? They make the rules. Why aren't these people railing for the general assembly to come out of hiding to lend a hand? Why does the governor always take blame? Did these protesters come from mars?
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Why don't we just buy houses for them. I know, we could have a new tax and rent forcloseures that they could all live in. IF WE BUILD IT THEY WILL COME. We can't always help everybody people.
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Everybody's got a place for 'them' to go, don't they? Well, who is going to pay for the heat, elec, food, staff, etc...
I'm giving all I can, but I have to keep paying my bills too and the taxes in this state are through the roof in case you forgot.
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For the last year or so Rhode Islanders have had their eyes on this situation and have watched how it has unfolded. The situation first began early last year when a group of homeless people began pitching tents under the old I-195 overpass. What started out as a couple of tents, turned into a large community. This community accepted people from all walks of life and even had a designated leader. It was gaining state wide and even national attention with a feature in the New York Times. And I feel it is this attention that has hurt these people and has forced them to move multiple times. Since early last year the tent camps have been ordered to move time and time again.
I feel that the discourse regarding this situation has only contributed to the tough times these individuals are facing. Each person who I have heard speak about this situation such as Governor Carcieri and Mayor Ciciline have only addressed the moving of these people and have provided no ideas or actions to help the people they continue to shun. These people have been moved from place to place like animals fleeing the forest before it is torn down. And rather than provide a plan or idea to help these people, those in power only focus on them moving out of the areas they call home.
The discourse about this subject has remained active because it is a sensationalized story. It is an unusual story that sparks interest in the public. However this story has taken away the focus from what should be the topic discussed here, homelessness. No public figure is talking about how homelessness is a growing problem in Rhode Island; they are instead just talking about this sensationalized story. Without this unusual story, Rhode Islanders would continue to shun the notion that homelessness exists and is a problem in our state.
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