Elorza unveils initiatives to help homeless, commits to increased police presence

MAYOR JORGE O. Elorza announced a plan on Thursday to launch a day center program that will connect individuals to community resources as well as a new way to donate to the homeless. 
 / PBN FILE PHOTO/STEPHANIE ALVAREZ EWENS
MAYOR JORGE O. Elorza announced a plan on Thursday to launch a day center program that will connect individuals to community resources as well as a new way to donate to the homeless. / PBN FILE PHOTO/STEPHANIE ALVAREZ EWENS

(Updated 12:26 p.m.)
PROVIDENCE – A day after a debate between homeless advocates and business leaders about panhandlers downtown, Mayor Jorge O. Elorza announced a plan to launch a day center to connect individuals to community resources as well as a new way to donate to the homeless.

Elorza, who joined elected officials along with community members, business owners, social service providers and interfaith community representatives at a press conference on Thursday, also committed ongoing support for increased police presence in the downtown district.

“The issues we are addressing today are not unique to Providence. They are complex and multifaceted, but by coming together as community, we have the opportunity to make lasting change,” Elorza said in a statement. “By addressing this issue creatively, collaboratively and compassionately and incorporating best practices from throughout the country, Providence can become a model for the entire nation.”

The mayor’s proposed plan comes one day after former mayor Joseph R. Paolino Jr., owner of Paolino Properties, announced his own proposal for how the community should move forward. The efforts stem from a public push to address the increased number of panhandlers found throughout the downtown. Paolino, who’s also the new chairman of the Downtown Improvement District, is proposing similar initiatives to Elorza’s, but his press conference on Wednesday was met with a throng of protesters and homeless advocates, who argue his plan is too focused on enforcement, and wants too much to criminalize homelessness.

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Paolino – like Elorza – is calling for an increased police presence in the downtown, but he’s also proposing a ban on any exchanges between people on the roadway and an occupant of a vehicle. Elorza says he’s willing to consider this new city law, which is expected to be introduced in the City Council on Thursday.

Paolino – like Elorza – is calling for an increased police presence in the downtown, but he’s also proposing a ban on any exchanges between people on the roadway and an occupant of a vehicle. Elorza says he’s willing to consider this new city law, which is expected to be introduced in the City Council on Thursday.

The uptick in panhandling can be traced back to earlier this year when Elorza ordered police to stop enforcing a ban on “aggressive panhandling,” which the America Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island argues violates free-speech rights. The city also stopped enforcing a penalty on people who loiter on bus line property.

Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Paré says police will continue to have a greater presence in the downtown district to curb illicit behavior, but assured people it would be “a safe place” for those who are truly homeless.

“We can’t arrest our way out of this,” he said.

Elorza did not attend Paolino’s press conference and likewise Paolino was not present at the mayor’s. When asked whether Paolino’s separate effort was distracting from the city’s, Elorza responded by saying he’s willing to include anyone who’s “focused on the root cause of the issue.”

The day center, which will receive $100,000 from the city, was described as space that “will provide for a dependable and safe alternative, especially necessary in times of inclement weather and often dire need.”

“A day center is important because these folks wait all day to go back into the shelter,” said Ward 11 Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris. “We are in a state of crisis right now.”

The mayor said the RFP process will be announced in the coming months. Service providers will be asked to provide potential locations and pitch service models.
In addition, the city will provide $25,000 to Amos House, a local organization that serves the homeless, to support a new program, “A Hand Up,” which will provide work opportunities for people who are underemployed or unemployed and look to panhandling as a main source of income.

The program through the first six months is expected to cost $100,000. Eileen Hayes, president and CEO of the Amos House, says she also expects some funding support from the Downtown Improvement District – included in Paolino’s proposal – and she’s asking the business community to consider hiring members of the homeless community.

“Being homeless is a full-time job … and we don’t have enough resources,” Hayes said. “We believe we cannot criminalize people who’re doing the best they can to survive.”

In addition to “A Hand Up”, the city will work to support the efforts by The Providence Center and collaborative work already being done to launch the “Emmanuel House,” a diversion center that will provide critical assistance to people who are struggling with substance abuse, Elorza said. No dollar amount is attached to this initiative at this time.

The final piece of Elorza’s plan is PVD GIVES. The meters would be placed throughout the city to encourage people – who might give money to a panhandler – to donate the money to the city instead of individuals directly. The city would then act as a pass-through for the money to be allocated to proven successful social supports, according to a news release from the mayor. Elorza said the idea came from research of best practices from other municipalities throughout the country.

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1 COMMENT

  1. This mayor is so far over his head in virtually every aspect of government and business. Tell your police force not to enforce existing laws and look where we are.
    These people aren’t homeless, they’re shiftless. Drugged out and drunk, aimless, unemployable, and one routine ticket away from jail. All these social agencies, who couldn’t survive if they didn’t lump this all under HOMELESS, are part of the PROBLEM not a solution.
    The old adage remains true – You get what you accept. Well done Mr. Mayor, well done.