Homeless advocates: RI homelessness up 600 percent since 2019

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Happening Thursday at the state house, Rhode Islanders with experience of homelessness and advocates will deliver a petition to governor Dan McKee.

The petition calls for the governor to declare a state of emergency.

Members of the Rhode Island homeless advocacy project say the state is experiencing an urgent crisis of unsheltered homelessness.

According to the Rhode Island housing dashboard, last month more than 1,500 unhoused people were living in emergency shelters.

An additional 529 were living outside without shelter.

Advocates say homelessness has increased by 600 percent since 2019.