<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2wmHmZ_0vkHO6Ks00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2wmHmZ_0vkHO6Ks00" width="1320" height="743" >(WJAR) — As temperatures drop homeless advocates said the number of unhoused people in Rhode Island is rising."It’s incredibly concerning,” Laura Jaworski, executive director, of House of Hope CDC said.The number of people who are homeless in Rhode Island is up by about 35 percent from last year.That's according to the ‘Point in Time Count’ led by the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness."We have an overwhelming need for shelter, but we don't have enough shelter beds,” Jaworski said.NBC 10 was there in January as outreach workers like Tripp McCreery visited homeless encampments to check on people and bring them supplies.He said the numbers aren't a surprising."Unfortunately expected. There are number of affordable housing instances that reflect those number, costing of living is up,” Tripp McCreery of Thrive Behavioral Health, homeless outreach said.In 2023, the survey found more than 1,800 people were unhoused in Rhode Island. This year there were more than 2,400."It’s really more likely an undercount than an overcount,” JaworskiMcCreery has been out doing outreach work recently too. He helps people learn about the resources available."The sense is the cold weather is arriving soon,” he said. Meaning a lot of people ask about options,” he added.Meanwhile, the state is still searching for a permanent housing secretary after Stefan Pryor stepped down in July.Governor Dan McKee said a handful of people locally have been interviewed."We are pleased that Danny Connors, who is acting there is doing a really strong job, but we also want to have Danny go back to EOHHS you know, in terms of being chief of staff there, so it's, it's coming,” McKee said.Advocates said while conversations have been good. There is concern about how long it’s taking to find a permanent leader.“We are really hopeful a permanent secretary can be named so we can have that position particularly going into the legislative session,”Jaworski said.More information about the ‘Point in Time Count’ can be found here.</div></body>

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Advocates warn the number of unhoused people in Rhode Island is rising

(WJAR) — As temperatures drop homeless advocates said the number of unhoused people in Rhode Island is rising. \"It’s incredibly concerning,” Laura Jaworski, executive director, of House of Hope CDC said. The number of people who are homeless in Rhode Island is up by about 35 percent...

(WJAR) — As temperatures drop homeless advocates said the number of unhoused people in Rhode Island is rising. "It’s incredibly concerning,” Laura Jaworski, executive director, of House of Hope CDC said. The number of people who are homeless in Rhode Island is up by about 35 percent...