PRESS RELEASE: Governor McKee and The Executive Office of Housing Fund $20 Million in Year-Round Shelters, Services, and Homelessness Prevention

• Regional Access Points to replace single phone line for placement
• System improvements yield more than $10 million in savings
• Executive Office of Housing completes phase-out of hotels for emergency shelter 

PROVIDENCE, RI — Governor Dan McKee and the Executive Office of Housing today announced approximately $20 million in tentative awards to 25 service providers for 51 projects across Rhode Island to support year-round emergency shelters, essential services, and critical reforms that will make it easier for Rhode Islanders experiencing homelessness to access shelter and housing-focused services. 

Due to Governor McKee’s efforts to create sustainable funding sources to address homelessness issues, $18 million out of the approximately $20 million awarded comes from state-generated funding.  

New this year, individuals seeking shelter placement will no longer need to rely on a single statewide hotline for shelter access. Instead, seven Regional Access Points—including one mobile unit—will serve as one-stop hubs for shelter referrals, housing problem-solving, and crisis response services. 

“We are focused on addressing homelessness in a way that is both compassionate and effective, ensuring Rhode Islanders in crisis can quickly access shelter and the services they need,” said Governor Dan McKee. “Through these investments, we are building a more sustainable system that provides stability and pathways to housing.” 

Despite a significant reduction in available federal funds, Rhode Island is maintaining nearly the same year-round shelter capacity as last year—1,327 beds this year for approximately $20M compared to 1,389 beds last year for approximately $33M—due to data-driven cost caps, as well as innovative approaches from providers. 

The funding will support: 

• Year-round emergency shelters and essential services
• Street outreach teams to connect unsheltered individuals statewide to housing solutions
• Rapid rehousing and housing problem-solving to prevent homelessness and speed transitions to permanent housing
• Regional Access Points (RAPs), replacing the former statewide Coordinated Entry System call line for shelter referrals 

“We listened to providers and advocates to understand what wasn’t working—and we acted,” said Secretary of Housing Deborah Goddard. “These reforms make our system stronger and more coordinated. Regional Access Points, investments in prevention and diversion programs, and a cost-effective year-round shelter system are major steps toward a housing-focused response that reduces barriers and connects people to resources more effectively. 

Today’s announcement also marks the winddown of the last remaining hotel-based emergency shelter funded by the Executive Office of Housing, completing a transition that began more than a year ago. Hotel shelters were introduced during the pandemic but proved costly and limited the ability to provide comprehensive wraparound services. 

“Transitioning away from hotel-based shelters is about using taxpayer dollars wisely and ensuring providers can deliver wrap-around services more efficiently and effectively,” Goddard added. 

The Executive Office of Housing will continue working with advocates, providers, and municipalities to strengthen Rhode Island’s homelessness response system and help more individuals transition into permanent housing.  

See below for a list of tentative awards to providers for year-round shelter, essential services, and critical reforms. The approximate $20 million in state dollars was combined with more than $900,000 in other funding invested by entitlement cities and other sources.  

Amos House

Essential Services $400,000.00 

Fam & Older Adult Shelter $3,750,000.00 

Harrington Hall Meal Service $301,665.60 

OFS $350,000.00 

Better Lives RI 

Pete & Andy's $78,000.00 

Street Outreach & Drop-in $520,000.00 

Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center 

DV Emergency Shelter $488,966.67 

Catholic Social Services 

Emmanuel House $700,000.00 

Child and Family 

Supportive Housing $134,265.00 

Community Care Alliance 

Dignity Bus $180,000.00 

CCA Housing Problem Solving  $100,000.00 

CCA Street Outreach/Access Point $246,154.27 

Woonsocket Family Shelter $285,000.00 

Crossroads RI 

Domestic Violence Shelter $245,000.00 

Family Shelter $475,000.00 

Harrington Hall $900,000.00 

Hartford Ave $520,000.00 

HPS, Mobile Diversion, Regional Access Point, & Day Services $1,200,000.00 

Rapid Rehousing $1,650,000.00 

Women's Shelter $525,000.00 

Domestic Violence Resource Center 

Emergency Shelter $55,000.00 

Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center 

Permanent Supportive Housing $110,000.00 

Phase II Shelter $78,000.00 

Safe Shelter $10,000.00 

Family Services of RI 

Housing Stabilization $375,000.00 

Foster Forward 

Rapid Rehousing $153,600.00 

Supportive Services $58,122.98 

Haus of Codec 

Emergency Shelter $130,000.00 

House of Hope 

ECHO Village $585,000.00 

Enhanced Street Outreach $400,000.00 

Lucy's Hearth 

Emergency Shelter $824,591.97 

McCauley Ministries 

Case Management & Transportation $55,270.11 

Newport Mental Health 

Newport Street Outreach & Regional Access Point $210,233.07 

Open Doors 

Pawtucket Regional Access Point $113,150.00

Pawtucket Shelter (1139) $1,421,614.10  

Providence Shelter (Plainfield Men's) $297,000.00 

Pawtucket Housing Authority 

Rapid Rehousing $250,000.00 

RI Coalition to End Homelessness 

Constituent Services $58,602.28 

HMIS $420,000.00 

Sojourner House 

DV Regional Access Point $150,000.00 

Rapid Rehousing $215,000.00 

Safe House for Victims of Abuse #1 $98,972.50 

Safe House for Victims of Abuse #2 $203,335.00 

RI Legal Services 

Homeless Prevention & Diversion $400,000.00 

Thrive 

Housing Problem Solving $120,000.00 

Street Outreach $150,000.00 

Turning Around Ministries 

Day Center $50,000.00 

Washington Square Services Corp. 

McKinney Shelter $145,000.00 

WARM 

Emergency Shelter $700,000.00 

Rapid Rehousing $180,000.00 

Street Outreach & Regional Access $300,000.00