Reducing Homelessness and Promoting Housing Stability

Allocated a total of $76 million in SFRF for homelessness prevention, housing stability services, and emergency shelter in the FY 2023-2025 enacted budgets.
- Invested $2.2 million in Municipal Homelessness Support, $35 million in Homelessness Infrastructure, $31.8 million in Homelessness Assistance, and $7 million in Warming Centers and Shelters.
Invested in housing problem-solving services aimed at preventing households that are at imminent risk of becoming homeless from entering the shelter system and assisting households who are homeless to ensure a rapid move into stable housing. These services range from helping individuals access benefits to providing one-time financial support for first month’s rent, move- in supplies, groceries, or car repairs.
Developed the first new Landlord Tenant Handbook since 2007 in partnership with Rhode Island Legal Services, the Center for Justice, and HousingWorksRI. This written guide to the state’s housing laws will be a valuable resource for landlords and tenants alike.

Distributed over $45 million through the Homeowner Assistance Fund to over 1,850 households, preventing foreclosures and ensuring housing stability for Rhode Island homeowners.
Distributed over $277 million in rental assistance through RentReliefRI and the Eviction Prevention Assistance Program, helping over 34,000 households stay in their homes and avoid eviction.
Acquired the former Charlesgate nursing home property in Providence where over 200 beds will serve Rhode Islanders seeking shelter, with an emphasis on families with children.
Initiated the development of the ECHO Village pilot program, a pallet shelter community aimed at providing safe, emergency shelter for 45 Rhode Islanders experiencing homelessness as they work to transition to permanent housing.

Partner with non-profits, faith-based organizations, municipalities, and businesses to ensure instances of homelessness are rare, brief, and non-recurring.
Bolster housing stability through new strategies and partnerships aimed at increasing household incomes and improving financial wellbeing.
Enhance and improve resources to serve high-need populations such as people with disabilities, substance use disorder, mental illness, and individuals exiting institutional settings as well as chronically homeless individuals.
Continue investing in and evaluating shelter diversion and homelessness prevention programs to reduce the need for costly emergency shelter solutions.