McKee-Matos Administration announces expansion of emergency shelter capacity

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – The McKee-Matos Administration announces Thursday the expansion of emergency shelter capacity, with an additional 130 emergency shelter beds for Rhode Islanders. Furthermore, they are also adding 20 additional beds for COVID positive Rhode Islanders. This brings the total number of beds added in the past few weeks to almost 400. The state plans to utilize the former Memorial Hospital Site in Pawtucket for 80 of those new beds. 

The McKee-Matos Administration is working alongside the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness after growing pressure from advocates and protesters outside of the State House. Some of those advocates include Senator  Matt Brown, running for Governor and Cynthia Mendes, running for Lt. Governor, who have been sleeping outside the State House along with others who have been out there the entirety of the last 16 days. 

While protesters have announced the sleep-out at the State House has come to an end, and are happy with the action taken thus far, they believe the work is far from over and will continue to hold the McKee Administration accountable.

The 4 Service Providers who are stepping up to add 130 additional emergency shelter beds for Rhode Islanders: 

• Woonsocket: Community Care Alliance has agreed to add up to 10 hotel vouchers in the Woonsocket area starting this week.
• Providence: Open Doors has committed to expanding their current operations to add 15 beds which are now up and running as of this week.
• Pawtucket: Amos House will be opening a non-congregate shelter program in Pawtucket at the former Memorial Hospital. Anticipating families will be able to move in starting next week and will have up to 80 beds. This was arranged in close collaboration with the City of Pawtucket, Lockwood Development, and VS USA.
• East Providence: House of Hope will add up to 25 beds to provide services utilizing local motel rooms.