Cold Snap Spurs Surge in Emergency Shelter Requests

Russ Partridge, the executive director of Westerly’s WARM Center and Wakefield’s Welcome House, receives three to four calls a day from individuals and families confronting homelessness. These calls often involve families facing rent hikes beyond their means or being asked to vacate due to a landlord’s plans.

As nighttime temperatures drop below freezing, Partridge notes that the demand for assistance is escalating. The strain on an already limited housing market intensifies with each call.

Affordable housing remains a pressing issue nationwide, and while some projects have received approval in Rhode Island, most are years away from completion. The urgency of the situation is apparent as homelessness increases, with more people finding themselves on the streets or in emergency shelters.

The definition of homelessness encompasses those living outdoors, in cars, in transitional housing, or emergency shelters. Many resort to couch surfing, moving between relatives, friends, or any available place to sleep for a night, a week, or even a month.

Pinpointing the exact number of homeless individuals proves challenging. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, conducting a point-in-time survey in January, reports a 73 percent increase in homelessness from 2019 to 2023. However, alternative surveys suggest even higher figures.

HUD indicates a significant surge in homelessness, especially among those living outdoors or in cars, rising from 71 in 2019 to 334 in 2023—an increase exceeding 400 percent. Including individuals in emergency or traditional shelters, HUD estimates 1,288 homeless persons in Rhode Island. Contrary surveys propose figures surpassing 6,000, with Kids Count highlighting 1,500 homeless children from pre-kindergarten through high school.

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