Woonsocket Radio News Room

Members of General Assembly call on Governor McKee to declare homelessness a public health emergency

STATE HOUSE — A group of 44 legislators called on Gov. Dan McKee to declare homelessness a public health emergency today.

“Your leadership is needed now to protect and save the lives of Rhode Islanders across our state, including our working class neighbors, our children, and our veterans,” they said in their statement to the governor.

“In the past year, 54 Rhode Islanders have died because they resided outside in the elements. More have lost their lives because of diseases or illnesses they got as a result of their being homeless. It is our duty as Rhode Islander lawmakers to ensure every single Rhode Islander, no matter if they have a physical permanent address or they are our neighbors residing outside, have elected officials at every level of government willing to prioritize legislation and actions to protect them,” the legislators continued.

The legislators emphasized the importance of immediate action to save lives and also called on the governor to address Rhode Island’s housing crisis using the resources provided by the General Assembly to the executive branch.

“By declaring a state of emergency, you can bypass the rules and regulations that prevent swift action, like opening up additional overnight shelters and dispersing funds to community organizations that serve our homeless neighbors all year long. The dedicated service providers and community organizations doing the work need to be reimbursed and additional funding allocated to continue filling the gaps left by our patchwork system of support,” they continued. “Governor McKee, this is an urgent and dire situation. You must act swiftly and guarantee a solutions driven approach to this crisis by operating a fully functioning Department of Housing. We need a policy plan to address the housing crisis that impacts the lives of those who entrusted you to the office.”

The letter was signed by Sens. Tiara Mack (D-Dist. 6, Providence), Meghan E. Kallman (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, Providence), Jonathan Acosta (D-Dist. 16, Central Falls, Pawtucket), Linda L. Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol), Ryan W. Pearson (D-Dist. 19, Cumberland, Lincoln), Pamela J. Lauria (D-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol, East Providence), Ana B. Quezada (D-Dist. 2, Providence), Bridget Valverde (D-Dist. 35, North Kingstown, East Greenwich, South Kingstown), Alana M. DiMario (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown, New Shoreham), Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown), Melissa A. Murray (D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) and Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown) and Reps. Teresa A. Tanzi (D-Dist. 34, South Kingstown, Narragansett), Katherine S. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East Providence, Pawtucket), Rebecca Kislak (D-Dist. 4, Providence), David Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence), Enrique George Sanchez (D-Dist. 9, Providence), Brandon Potter (D-Dist. 16, Cranston), Lauren H. Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport), Jennifer A. Stewart (D-Dist. 59, Pawtucket), Edith H. Ajello (D-Dist. 1, Providence), Terri Cortvriend (D-Dist. 72, Portsmouth, Middletown), Susan R. Donovan (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth), Cherie L. Cruz (D-Dist. 58, Pawtucket), Josh Giraldo (D-Dist. 56, Central Falls), Kathleen A. Fogarty (D-Dist. 35, South Kingstown), David A. Bennett (D-Dist. 20, Warwick, Cranston), Julie A. Casimiro (D-Dist. 31, North Kingstown, Exeter), Matthew S. Dawson (D-Dist. 65, East Providence), Mary Ann Shallcross Smith (D-Dist. 46, Lincoln, Pawtucket), Grace Diaz (D-Dist. 11, Providence), Deborah A. Fellela (D-Dist. 43, Johnston), Patricia A. Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry), Jason Knight (D-Dist. 67, Barrington, Warren), June S. Speakman (D-Dist. 68, Warren, Bristol), Karen Alzate (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket, Central Falls), John J. Lombardi (D-Dist. 8, Providence), Mia A. Ackerman (D-Dist. 45, Cumberland, Lincoln), Carol Hagan McEntee (D-Dist. 33, South Kingstown, Narragansett), Jennifer Boylan (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence), Michael W. Chippendale (R-Dist. 40, Foster, Glocester, Coventry), Sherry Roberts (R-Dist. 29, West Greenwich, Coventry), Megan Cotter (D-Dist. 39, Exeter, Richmond, Hopkinton), Jenni A. Furtado (D-Dist. 64, East Providence, Pawtucket),and Leonela Felix (D-Dist. 61, Pawtucket).