WARM set to receive state funds for seasonal shelter
Read More at TheWesterlySun.com
WESTERLY — The WARM Center is one of several statewide shelters that will receive additional state funding toward helping families and individuals experiencing homelessness.
WARM is set to receive a $264,905 Seasonal Shelter Award, part of $1.8 million in tentative awards through the state’s Winter Response Grant to service providers, municipalities and community-based organizations.
The disbursements build on Gov. Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing's August announcement of approximately $20 million to support 1,327 state-funded year-round shelter beds.
With the 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,” McKee said. “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.”
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.
“These awards reflect our continued commitment to meeting Rhode Islanders where they are and responding to immediate needs with compassion and coordination,” R.I. Secretary of Housing Deborah Goddard said. “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.”
The State of Rhode Island has launched seven Regional Access Points (RAPs), local “one stop shops” where individuals and families experiencing homelessness can begin the process of accessing housing, supportive services, and emergency shelter.
The WARM Center, a 19-bed adult shelter operating a community soup kitchen serving lunch and dinner daily, has been named the Regional Access Point for Washington County.
RAPs make it easier for people in crisis to connect quickly to the right support — whether that’s emergency shelter, housing resources, or critical community services.
