In 2006-2007, Rhode Island's shelters reach the second highest capacity ever.

In 2006-2007, Rhode Island shelters served 6,773 men, women, and children.

The shelter system provided 230,282 shelter nights.

1,558 children were shelter residents in 2006-2007

Income, housing costs, and domestic violence are the primary reasons people cited for seeking emergency shelter. 

Due to a shortage of supportive housing programs, most people seeking shelter are not getting the help they need for long term stability. Two-fifths of clients in the shelter system experienced mental health and/ or medical problems in the six months prior to entering the shelter.

The number of families has declined 10%.

2006 Fair Market Rent for a one-bedroom unit is $869, but an SSI recipient’s income can support a monthly rent of no more than $194.00 (with rent = 30% of income).

Approximately 80% of those who are able to access permanent supportive housing programs remain stable and successful, despite mental health or substance abuse issues.

Low-income families continue to lose real income at unprecedented rates. Homelessness also affects those in higher income brackets. Rhode Islanders that became homeless who have incomes of $10,000 or more have doubled since 1995.

Families that earn below $35,000 in Rhode Island (41.9% of Rhode Islanders) cannot afford the median priced apartment in any city of town in the state. 

Rhode Island’s media household income in 2006 was $51,814, and the median wage for the 20 most commonly advertised jobs is even lower, according to the state Department of Labor and Training.

There are just three communities left in Rhode Island where the average two-bedroom apartment remains affordable to someone making less than $20 per hour.

The average rent, not including utilities, for a standard two bedroom apartment in RI is $1,172 requiring an annual salary of $47,000 gross.

2005 saw 281 new affordable apartments and homeownership opportunities added in communities such as Bristol, Cumberland, Lincoln, Providence and West Warwick. Too little, when you consider that Rhode Island is 13,000 units short.

The average wait for Section 8 vouchers is almost 5 years and in most communities, enrollments are closed. The percentage of shelter clients who have been homeless for  more than two years has increased from under 3% in 2001-2002 to 10% this year.

Preferences for the homeless have been eliminated by most Housing Authorities in Rhode Island. Those experiencing chronic and long-term homelessness are more likely to be disabled and to be veterans.

Federal support for new housing has been substantially reduced and continues to decline. The Public Housing Authorities have seen their budgets cut consistently over the past three years, causing them to sell of property to meet budget shortfalls. Those  properties no longer have affordability restrictions attached to them, thereby decreasing the stock of affordable homes in Rhode Island.

RI has more than 37,000 low-income families renting apartments, but less than 13,000 apartments that qualify as “affordable” for low and moderate-income renters.

60% of  Rhode Island households make under $50,000 and cannot afford to buy the median priced single family home in ANY  Rhode Island community.

All Rhode Island municipalities now have local affordable housing plans as required by state law. They share a common goal: to ensure there is enough housing so that people who grew up in town and work in the community can afford to stay there.