RI Housing: ECHO Village client transitions to shelters to begin as early as Wednesday
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — State and federal officials celebrated the long-awaited ECHO Village pallet shelter lot’s opening Tuesday, and plans are in place to begin getting homeless individuals in the shelters.
According to a statement from the Rhode Island Department of Housing:
In advance of the site opening, House of Hope’s street outreach team began identifying potential ECHO clients, and, as early as Wednesday, will begin assisting them in moving from unsafe living situations, such as tents or vehicles, to ECHO Village. Client move-ins will be in waves, with groups of 10-15 individuals moving in each week. This phased approach by House of Hope ensures safety and effectiveness and allows for the pace to be adjusted as needed until ECHO Village reaches full capacity.
The statement also said that 66 percent of the individuals housed by the shelters will be from Providence.
“ECHO Village marks the latest addition to the state’s inventory of over 1,300 shelter beds,” said Governor Dan McKee.
“Our administration remains committed to address homelessness in partnership with our cities and towns, service providers, faith-based communities, and other local partners.”
ECHO Village is comprised of 45 one-room Pallet units, each 70 square feet and equipped with fire suppression, smoke and CEO detectors, fire-retardant paint and heating and cooling units.
There are also three “hygiene units” which house ECHO Village’s bathrooms, including one ADA bathroom.
