Governor Also Directed State to Address Health & Safety Concerns at Shelter
Providence, RI – Governor Lincoln D. Chafee today announced his plans to reactivate the Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH), which establishes a mechanism for Cabinet- and Director-level staff to come together to discuss better coordination of state activities for housing and homelessness. The ICH also develops strategies to address the problems associated with homelessness, makes recommendations aimed at reducing the number of homeless people in Rhode Island, and promotes and supports development of permanent supportive housing.
The ICH had expired in 2009 and numerous community and advocacy groups had called for its reestablishment.
Additionally, Governor Chafee announced today that, at his direction, the state has addressed a number of health and safety concerns that had been expressed over the conditions at Harrington Hall, an emergency shelter at the Pastore Complex that serves 88-100 homeless men nightly. Senator John J. Tassoni, Jr. had brought the issues to the attention of the Chafee Administration. House of Hope, which operates Harrington Hall, then submitted a list of problems with the facility, including bathroom conditions and general maintenance issues, such as peeling paint. According to the Facilities Management office at the Department of Administration, all of the items on the list have been addressed as of this past weekend. In addition, Facilities Management has revised its procedures to ensure that problems identified in the future are addressed in a timely fashion.