McKee Admin Refuses to Answer Questions About Vets Preference and Undocumented in Pallet Homes
GoLocalProv News Team
McKee Admin Refuses to Answer Questions About Vets Preference and Undocumented in Pallet Homes
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The first question GoLocal asked Pryor’s office was whether U.S. veterans who are homeless would receive priority for the new units.
His office repeatedly refused to answer the question and then tried to direct the question to a non-profit that the Office of Housing had hired to operate the facility. The Office of Housing funded the project and selected the site. The pallet home project is being funded by the state primarily using federal funds.
In December, a federal report unveiled that there was a significant increase in homeless veterans in 2023.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the results of the 2023 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, the annual effort to estimate the number of Americans, including veterans, without permanent housing.
The data showed that on a single night in January 2023, there were 35,574 veterans who experienced homelessness in the U.S. This reflects a 7.4% increase in the number of veterans experiencing homelessness from 2022.
Undocumented Immigrants
The second question was whether the new units would be used for housing undocumented immigrants.
Again, Pryor’s office refused to respond.
In a press release in January, Pryor said in part, “This initiative reflects our dedication to fostering well-being, dignity, and opportunity for vulnerable Rhode Islanders.”
Again, Pryor refused to answer the question.
The 45 new housing units are expected to open in March.
READ ABOUT THE COST OF THE PROGRAM HERE.
