Governor McKee Awards $1.8 Million to Expand Rhode Island’s Homeless Response System Ahead of Winter Months
Published on Thursday, October 30, 2025
PROVIDENCE, RI – Building on the McKee Administration’s August announcement of approximately $20 million to support 1,327 state-funded year-round shelter beds, Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing (EOH) today announced $1.8 million in tentative awards through the State’s Winter Response Grant to service providers, municipalities, and community-based organizations. This investment will support the opening and expansion of seasonal emergency shelter beds, strengthening Rhode Island’s coordinated response for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. With this announcement, Rhode Island is adding 281 seasonal beds to its state-funded shelter system, for a projected total of more than 1,600 beds available for Rhode Islanders in need this winter.
In addition to the more than 1,600 state-funded beds that will be available, the Winter Response Grant will support additional warming spaces, including approximately 200 cots and mats, to be used to meet community needs during high-demand periods.
“My administration's priority is keeping our most vulnerable residents safe, especially in the coldest months,” said Governor Dan McKee. “This investment underscores our continued commitment to helping individuals and families access emergency shelter as a short-term solution and transition to stable, long-term housing.”
“These awards reflect our continued commitment to meeting Rhode Islanders where they are and responding to immediate needs with compassion and coordination,” said Secretary of Housing Deborah Goddard. “We are grateful to those who applied and work tirelessly to ensure every individual has access to warmth, safety, and the support needed to achieve housing stability.”
This year’s Winter Response Grant projects fall into two categories: Seasonal Emergency Shelters and Flexible Winter Response Projects. These resources run from November to April.
- Seasonal Emergency Shelters offer safe, overnight accommodations from November to April, regardless of outside temperature. Many also provide daytime services such as meals, case management, behavioral health and substance use support, and housing navigation.
- Flexible Winter Response Projects operate on an as-needed basis during periods of severe or inclement weather. These efforts include warming centers, transportation to safe locations, and emergency pop-up sites that activate as conditions require, ensuring individuals who may not access traditional shelters still have access to safety and support.
A list of tentative awards to providers for seasonal shelter and flexible winter response projects is included below. These resources are pending final acceptance of grant funding by awardees.
Seasonal Shelter Awards:
- Community Care Alliance — $404,178.05
- Harvest Sanctuary — $114,022.00
- Hope in Jesus Ministry — $100,000
- Multi-Center for All — $100,000.00
- OpenDoors — $167,207.00
- WARM — $264,905.00
- Youth Pride — $120,707.00
Flexible Winter Response Project Awards:
- Crossroads RI — $99,801.00
- Rhode Island Council of Churches — $200,000.00
- MAE Organization — $77,500.00
- Town of West Warwick — $94,546.80
Information about the state’s homeless response system can be found here: www.housing.ri.gov/resources/individuals-experiencing-homelessness.