Stephen Miller, a longtime attorney, recently was appointed probate judge for the town of Lincoln. For 35 years, he has owned Stephen M. Miller & Associates, a law firm based in Providence. He serves as president of the board of directors for the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless. He responded recently to several questions posed by the Providence Business News.
PBN: What do people misunderstand about the homeless population of Rhode Island? Do they assume it’s mostly male or confined to cities?
MILLER: Most people have the misconception that homeless people are addicted, which has caused them to become homeless. Most people also assume that homelessness is only an urban problem. Homelessness does not discriminate and it knows no boundaries. It is not a male problem, as families with children make up a large part of the homeless population. Senior citizens, victims of domestic violence, working people, all are included in the homeless population.
PBN: What can landlords do that would ease the problem and protect themselves as well?
MILLER: Landlords can participate in the community effort to attack the problem. Rhode Island rents are high and the state ranks among the least-affordable states for housing. The lack of affordable housing coupled with low wages is a significant cause of the Rhode Island homeless problem. Landlords can access numerous state and federal programs to obtain rent subsidies, including a program designed to assist homeless veterans. Landlords can assume a greater responsibility for code violations and foreclosure, which often leaves tenants without a home.
PBN: You are an attorney specializing in real estate. How has your professional life assisted in your leadership of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless?
MILLER: Our law office has operated a free, legal clinic at Amos House bi-monthly since 2009. As a practicing attorney in Rhode Island for over 36 years, as well as being a judge of the Probate Court, firsthand experiences and contacts allow our office to effectuate practical, immediate and inexpensive solutions. We provide this service pro-bono.
PBN: What have you learned about the lack of housing options in Rhode Island? Is it widespread among communities, or just the opposite?
MILLER: There is a significant lack of affordable housing throughout the state. As rents continue to rise and the supply of affordable housing and willing landlords diminishes, the problem gets worse, not better. Virtually no community in the state is exempt.
PBN: The coalition has advocated for Rhode Island to create stable, yearly funding for affordable housing. Isn’t that the function of R.I. Housing?
MILLER: The purpose of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless is to end homelessness in Rhode Island. It is our responsibility to pursue a comprehensive solution to ending homelessness, including funding for affordable housing. We do this in cooperation with the state of Rhode Island, R.I. Housing, and our excellent and dedicated community partners.
Mary MacDonald is a PBN staff writer. Email her at MacDonald@PBN.com, or you can follow her on Twitter @MaryF_MacDonald.
