HUD: Homelessness rose in R.I. in January during one-night poll

RHODE ISLAND had the lowest rate of unsheltered homeless in the nation at 4.3 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. / COURTESY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBN DEVELOPMENT
RHODE ISLAND had the lowest rate of unsheltered homeless in the nation at 4.3 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. / COURTESY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBN DEVELOPMENT

PROVIDENCE – The number of persons experiencing homelessness in Rhode Island on a single night in January rose by 4.4 percent over the year, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Every year, volunteers stream across the nation on a specific winter night to identify individuals and families living on the streets as well in emergency shelters and transitional housing programs.

On that night, 1,160 people experienced homelessness in Rhode Island, 49 more than last year. However, that represents a 9.5 percent decrease from January 2010. Most – 1,123 – were in emergency shelters or transitional housing programs. Another 37 were unsheltered. HUD said Rhode Island had the lowest rate of unsheltered homeless individuals in the nation that night at 4.3 percent.

In addition, 89 veterans were found to be homeless that night. Since January 2011, veteran homelessness has decreased by 27.6 percent, or by 34 people. HUD also said the number of families with children experiencing homelessness has decreased 47.9 percent since 2010.
However, chronic or long-term homelessness among individuals has risen by 58.1 percent, or 50 people, since 2010.
HUD said that the number of unaccompanied homeless youth and children appeared to increase by 36.1 percent, but the agency will launch “a more robust effort” to more accurately count this population in January.

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