Tent Encampment at RI State House Given 48 Hours to Disband
Wednesday, December 07, 2022
The tent encampment at the Rhode Island State House is being removed by Capitol Police.
Governor Dan McKee's office issued the following statement Wednesday morning.
"As we’ve shared previously, street outreach teams from local homelessness providers contracted by the State’s Department of Housing have routinely checked on the individuals outside the State House over the last several months to connect individuals to available services and shelter.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTEarlier today, street outreach workers from our providers in collaboration with state employees, again visited the individuals outside the State House and offered to work with them to immediately connect them to a bed and transportation to a shelter.
After several months of outreach, individuals were notified this morning that they must vacate State House grounds within 48 hours and that camping/sleeping overnight at the State House is prohibited. Over the 48 hours, outreach workers will continue to meet with the individuals and again offer them access to an immediate bed and transportation to a shelter. To make every effort to keep individuals connected with their belongings, any possessions boxed within 48 hours will be temporarily stored by the Department of Administration for 30 days. The State has materials available to assist individuals in packing their belongings.
The State’s goal has always been to work with our local providers to engage the individuals outside the State House in a way that meets their needs and ultimately connect them with shelter and permanent housing with wraparound services."
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The encampment had been a protest to demand action by the State of Rhode Island to address the issue of homelessness.
In October, advocates for homeless individuals had asked the state to declare a State of Emergency.
At the time, the most recent data indicates that there are currently 405 Rhode Islanders living outside, including 57 households with children, according to Karen Jeffreys with Horizon Healthcare Partners, who added that their outreach workers estimated that there are over 80 homeless encampments across the state at the time.
Encampment organizers did not immediately respond to request to comment as to how many individuals who had been at the State House are homeless.
