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Rhode Island Coalition

for the Homeless

160 Broad Street

Providence, RI 02903

Phone 401.421.6458

Fax 401.421.6426

 

 

See staff page for contact information.

 

 

 

Programs include:                                  Events              Accomplishments

STREET SHEETS: These brochures are guides to meal, shelter and health care sites for those experiencing a housing crisis and for the service providers who are trying to assist them. Along with a brochure for each area of the state, there is also a Spanish language version. STREET SHEETs often lead to agency involvement and assistance finding housing, employment, and stability.

LEGAL CLINICS FOR THE HOMELESS: Coordinated by the Coalition, attorneys volunteer their time traveling to shelters and other locations to provide advice or referral regarding family law, housing problems, benefits, criminal cases, immigration and other issues.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: The Coalition Policy and Program Coordinator, funded by RI Housing and Mortgage Corporation, is available to member agencies and the community to assist with: housing issues; networking with technical assistance through the Shelter and Housing Providers Network; conducting selected research and information projects; organizing events such as Homeless Memorial Day and organizing educational events for providers throughout the state.

TRAINING: Training is offered to staff of member agencies under the auspices of the Shelter and Housing Providers Network. Among the topics covered are: Core Training, providing new case managers with an understanding of the shelters service community, diversity; working with mental illness and substance abuse problems; professional boundaries; and funding.

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY: The Coalition has a seat on the state of Rhode Island's Housing Resources Commission. It has assumed a leadership role in advocating for policies and laws that will enhance resources for affordable housing, and services necessary to prevent and eliminate homelessness.

HOUSING LOCATOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Through our partnership with Housing and Urban Development and RI Housing, the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless is coordinating tenant education training for the Housing Locator Program. We provide workshops for homeless individuals and families that help them find and retain appropriate, permanent housing. The Coalition also trains case managers and members of the community to assist those without a place to live. Materials have been developed to address issues for landlord/tenant responsibilities, money management, housing retention, subsidized housing programs and the Public Housing Authorities that administer them, Community Action Programs, housing safety and lead poisoning prevention.

THE HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM: The Coalition is contracted through RI Housing to help implement a state-wide homeless management information system (HMIS) that is designed to help case managers in their reporting requirements and to assist folks in finding the services they need. Through better communication and coordination amongst agencies, the HMIS will reduce the overall cost by identifying services needed, trends of the population served, and streamlining access for those in need. For more information click on HMIS.

                                      HMIS

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Accomplishments

Organization’s Major Accomplishments: Our major accomplishments are largely the result of our advocacy mission. The coalition has been a leader in forwarding the housing agenda in the Rhode Island General Assembly. Among our accomplishments in this area are:

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Establishment of the State Housing Resources Commission;

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The initial authorship and coordination of the three year struggle to get state funding for rental housing production that evolved into the Neighborhood Opportunities Program which now received 7.5 million dollars.

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Worked with the HousingWorks Coalition to advocate with the State general Assembly to put a $50 million affordable housing bond on the ballot for November, 2006.

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Co-sponsored and organized The Journey Home March to End Homelessness in May, 2006 to advocate for solution-oriented policies to ending homelessness in Rhode Island .

In addition to the legislative advocacy, we have developed a leadership and coordinating function within the housing community:

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The executive director has an ex officio seat on the State Housing Resources Commission, and serves as co-chair of its Office of Homelessness and Emergency Assistance sub-committee on Acute Care Discharge.

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The coalition has brought new partners to our efforts, reaching out to the faith-based community, the mental health community, and the larger social service system to join forces on our common concerns;

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We have brought together, for the first time, the homeless system and the Public Housing Authorities to consider solutions to the problem of Section 8 Voucher lack of utilization;

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We host the largest housing event of the year, our annual awards luncheon each March.

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We have become the central location for coordination of services and dissemination of information for the homeless service system through our programs and the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).

Events

Annual Meeting

Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick

November

Homeless Memorial Day. Mathewson Street Church Providence, RI

Our condolences to those remembering past friends, loved ones, and collogues. 

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