RHIHub: Models and Innovations: WARM Center Street Outreach

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Summary 

• Need: To connect people experiencing homelessness in southern Rhode Island to housing, healthcare, benefits, and other community supports.

• Intervention: WARM Center's Street Outreach Program sends trained outreach workers to meet with unhoused people and connect them to services, distribute items like food and clothing, and provide case management.

• Results: From July 2025 to August 2026, Street Outreach served 119 individuals and helped 31 people transition directly from street homelessness into permanent housing.

Description

The WARM Center in Westerly, Rhode Island, helps individuals and families experiencing homelessness, housing instability, and poverty by providing access to emergency shelter, affordable housing, food, clothing, and supportive services. The WARM Center Street Outreach Program brings this support directly to people experiencing homelessness. Outreach workers meet with people living in campsites, vehicles, public spaces, and other locations. The Street Outreach Program serves people experiencing homelessness in Westerly, Charlestown, Hopkinton, Narragansett, Richmond, South Kingstown, and surrounding communities. According to Rhode Island's definition of rural, Westerly, Charlestown, Hopkinton, and Richmond are classified as rural.

Services offered

Street Outreach staff:

• Assist with housing applications and documentation requirements

• Build trusting relationships through ongoing engagement and support

• Conduct outreach in locations where unsheltered individuals reside

• Connect participants to emergency shelter, permanent housing opportunities, healthcare services including behavioral health treatment, and public benefits

• Coordinate referrals to community resources and safety net programs

• Distribute food, water, clothing, hygiene products, blankets, and other items

• Help participants navigate service systems

• Provide case management and individualized service planning

• Support participants in achieving goals related to housing stability, income, health, and well-being

Results

From July 2025 to August 2026, Street Outreach served 119 individuals and helped 31 people transition directly from street homelessness into permanent housing. In addition, from January 2025 through June 2026, the program provided 102,230 meals to individuals experiencing homelessness.

Challenges

The demand for housing assistance and supportive services exceeds available community resources.

Replication

Some people experiencing homelessness might be distrustful of institutions like healthcare and homeless shelters. Build trust through consistent outreach efforts and a long-term commitment to building relationships.

Other key components of the program include:

• Dedicated staff

• Intensive case management

• Low-barrier engagement

• Proactive field outreach

• Strong collaboration with housing providers, healthcare facilities, and social service agencies

• Trauma-informed care

Contact Information

Monique Krupka, MHA, Deputy Director
WARM Center
401.596.9276
mkrupka@warmcenter.org