No Parking Options for Homeless RIers, Say Advocates - Protest Thursday at State House
GoLocalProv News Team
No Parking Options for Homeless RIers, Say Advocates - Protest Thursday at State House
"We are seeing an unprecedented number of street homeless this year and even though the state has opened hotel space for this winter, unfortunately, over 250 Rhode Islanders are sleeping outside, including many that are staying in their vehicle," said Karen Jeffreys, Director of Programs at Horizon Healthcare Partners.
"And despite repeated asks to the state to designate a safe parking lot for those homeless in a vehicle, nothing has been done," she continued. "This has caused those sleeping in cars, vans, and RVs to continue to be ticketed and towed. When this happens, people simultaneously lose their belongings, shelter, and transportation means."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAt 4 PM on Thursday, there will be a protest and car parade around the State House with a speaking program on the Providence Mall side of the building that will be live-streamed -- and individuals who have been living out of their car that will be speaking.
According to the state’s Homeless Management Information System, 267 people were sleeping outside over the last two weeks, many of them living in their vehicles.
This situation is directly related to the state’s lack of investment in affordable housing for very low-income people and is being made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic and the eviction crisis, says Jeffreys, and
a safe parking lot with amenities and supports provides a “stable base” from which people can work toward permanent housing and their other goals without fear of harassment, towing, or incarceration.
Scheduled to speak:
Barbara Freitas, RI Homeless Advocacy Project
Megan Smith, House of Hope CDC
Daniel Nesbit, Formerly homeless individual who stayed in his vehicle
Natalia Kendrick, Currently experiencing homelessness in her vehicle
Kathryn Morris, RI College School of Social Work