PROVIDENCE – Crossroads Rhode Island saw some significant advances in reducing the homeless problem in Rhode Island a year after it was awarded the $5 million Day One Families Fund grant.
The organization reported Friday that Rhode Island’s family shelter wait list has reduced from about 400 families in December 2018 to approximately 45 families currently, nearly 270 received “direct support and avoided homelessness.” Meanwhile, family homelessness in Rhode Island has declined by 8% in that time.
Building a Strong Data Foundation in the Age of AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a key priority in the boardroom and across management —…
Learn More
From Dec. 1, 2018, through Nov. 30, 2019, Crossroads offered services to about 900 families, including around 1,700 children and 1,385 adults. Additionally, Crossroads said the Day 1 funds provided “rapid solution support” to close to 100 families for one-time emergency assistance, such as first month’s rent, moving assistance and utility deposits, in order to help families avoid homelessness.
Crossroads CEO and President Karen A. Santilli said in a statement Friday the grant – supported by the Bezos Day One Fund’s Day 1 Families Fund, an organization led by Jeff Bezos, founder, chairman and CEO of Amazon.com Inc. – has been “transformative.” The grant also allowed the homeless social-service organization to “double-down” on its housing-first approach, which provides homeless individuals and families immediate access to permanent housing.
“Fewer families are experiencing homelessness and more children have a safe, stable, and permanent place to call home. The funding Day 1 has provided over the last year gives clear evidence that adequate funding for Coordinated Entry and a resolute commitment to housing-first policies are the most important tools to support our fight to end homelessness.”
James Bessette is the PBN special projects editor who also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You may reach him at Bessette@PBN.com.
