Homeless council approves new plan for RI
CRANSTON, R.I.—The Interagency Council on Homelessness has approved a new homelessness plan for the state without the support of a key housing agency.
Jim Ryczek, executive director of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless, says the $130 million plan was approved Thursday. He says the quasi-public agency Rhode Island Housing abstained.
The plan emphasizes long-term housing over temporary shelters. It was approved last week by the Rhode Island Housing Resources Commission.
The commission member representing Rhode Island Housing also abstained from that vote, calling the plan "very ambitious" and "very expensive." A message was left for the agency.
The plan seeks to end homelessness among veterans and those chronically without shelter in the next five years, in part by creating nearly 900 new units of "supportive" and affordable housing.
State funding for the plan remains uncertain.
