Homelessness increases in R.I.

PROVIDENCE – More Rhode Islanders were homeless in 2009 than 2008, according to a new report by the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
The report said 1,607 people lacked a place to live in 2009, up 34 percent – or 411 people – from 2008. Rhode Island joined 30 other states and Washington, D.C., in recording an increase in the number of homeless people, said the report released last week.
Nationally, the homeless population increased by approximately 20,000 people – or 3 percent – from 2008 to 2009.
The alliance blamed the poor economy, particularly the stubbornly high unemployment rate, for the increase in homelessness. In Rhode Island, the alliance noted that besides high unemployment, wages for the state’s poorest workers fell by 14 percent from 2008 to 2009 because of cutbacks in hours or direct pay cuts.
The report also found that the number of Rhode Islanders living with a friend of family member to save money increased to 12,509 last year from 6,607 the year prior. Those depending on the hospitality of others have a 1 in 10 chance of becoming homeless, the report cautioned.
The report caught the attention of U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., who joined with the alliance to release the report on Jan. 12.
“It is clear that the federal government cannot alone tackle homelessness,” Reed said. “We need your continued help, and we need your help now more than ever, especially as we all face growing fiscal pressures that require us to do more with less. Our successes in battling homelessness will only be achieved through our continuing to work together in partnership.
Reed authored the Homeless Emergency and Rapid Transition to Housing, which reauthorized a federal homelessness program, expanded homeless assistance programs and gave local communities greater flexibility and new incentives to prevent homelessness, according to his office.
“Wisely investing federal resources in the HEARTH Act will save taxpayers money in the long run by preventing homelessness, promoting the development of permanent supportive housing, and encourages self-sufficiency,” Reed said.