Trump Executive Order on homelessness is cruel, but not too far out of line with the policies of Governor McKee and Mayor Smiley

With more people likely to become homeless, making homelessness a crime is the wrong thing to do

Steve Ahlquist

“We are outraged by the Trump Administration’s executive order to criminalize homelessness—a policy that is not only offensive and in direct violation of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision, the basic tenets of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Rhode Island Homeless Bill of Rights, but a cruel affront to human rights and dignity,” said the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness.

Donald Trump issued a needlessly cruel Executive Order entitled “Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets” on July 24. “Endemic vagrancy, disorderly behavior, sudden confrontations, and violent attacks have made our cities unsafe,” says the order, without evidence. The order prioritizes federal funds to municipalities that enforce bans on public camping and require sobriety before receiving services, reversing the “housing first” strategy that has proven effective in combating homelessness, poverty, and substance use.

Trump orders homelessness to be treated as a crime

Calls for involuntary committal, imprisonment even though federal funding has been cut

Jessica Corbett for Common Dreams

Advocates for mental health and unhoused people blasted Donald Trump over his executive order titled "Ending Crime and Disorder on America's Streets."

Trump's order directs U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to end policies that restrict the government from institutionalizing "individuals on the streets who are a risk to themselves or others." 

She must also work with other Cabinet members "to prioritize grants for states and municipalities that enforce prohibitions on open illicit drug use, urban camping and loitering, and urban squatting, and track the location of sex offenders."

As a White House "fact sheet" highlights, the order also "redirects funding to ensure that individuals camping on streets and causing public disorder and that are suffering from serious mental illness or addiction are moved into treatment centers, assisted outpatient treatment, or other facilities." Further, it ensures grant money does not "fund drug injection sites or illicit drug use."

In a statement to USA Today, which first reported on the executive action, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that "by removing vagrant criminals from our streets and redirecting resources toward substance abuse programs, the Trump administration will ensure that Americans feel safe in their own communities and that individuals suffering from addiction or mental health struggles are able to get the help they need."

Meanwhile, National Coalition for the Homeless executive director Donald Whitehead Jr. declared that "everyone deserves a safe place to live."

Trump's policies, he said, "ignore decades of evidence-based housing and support services in practice. They represent a punitive approach that has consistently failed to resolve homelessness and instead exacerbates the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals."

WARM Center looking to fill key position

Hiring a WARM Respite Case Manager

Full-time to start ASAP

Who is WARM Center, Inc? Founded in 1987 on the values of Compassion, Hope and Dignity, WARM Center, Inc. provides a continuum of seventeen programs serving over 4,000 low-income households a year. 

Our programs provide essential support and resources to low-income individuals and families at risk of becoming homeless or experiencing homelessness. Ranging from street outreach to permanent housing, our programs share the primary goal of preventing and ending homelessness, and promoting economic stability across Washington County. 

Job Summary: The WARM Respite Housing Stabilization Case Manager will provide comprehensive case management services to individuals and families experiencing housing instability, with a focus on those with more marked medical and mental health needs. The role involves coordinating care, connecting clients to resources, and supporting them in maintaining stable housing and improved health outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

•    Case Management: Provide direct, hands-on case management services to clients, including assessment, planning, and implementation of individualized service plans.

•    Resource Coordination: Connect clients to medical, mental health, and social services, ensuring they have access to necessary resources to maintain housing stability.

•    Client Support: Offer support services to clients with co-occurring disorders, substance use issues, and chronic health conditions.

•    Community Integration: Enhance community integration by creating opportunities for clients to access local resources and participate in community activities.

•    Advocacy: Advocate for clients' needs within the healthcare and social service systems, ensuring they receive appropriate services and support.

•    Documentation: Maintain accurate records of client progress, needs, and services utilized. Prepare reports for analysis and data tracking purposes.

•    Home Visits: Conduct regular home visits to monitor client progress, provide support, and ensure safe living conditions.

•    Life Skills Training: Coach clients on basic life skills, including meal preparation, housekeeping, and financial management.

•    Collaboration: Work collaboratively with other case managers, healthcare providers, landlords, and community organizations to support clients' goals.

Qualifications:

•    Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a related field (Master's preferred), or equivalent experience.

•    Experience in case management, particularly with homeless or medically vulnerable populations.

•    Strong understanding of medical and mental health issues, and experience working with individuals with co-occurring disorders.

•    Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

•    Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

•    Proficiency in using case management software and Microsoft Office applications.

•    Valid driver's license and willingness to travel for home visits and appointments.

Compensation:

•    Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

•    Benefits package including health insurance, retirement plan, and paid time off. 

How to Apply: Please send your resume to Monique Krupka, Deputy Director at mkrupka@warmcenter.org.

Wood River Health and WARM team up to fight homelessness

Go team!

For many, this is housing for the
homeless in South County

Wood River Health is working to combat homelessness by expanding its service delivery systems to offer housing stabilization services to residents of Washington County.

Wood River Health is helping those at risk of homelessness by becoming a certified provider of home stabilization services for Rhode Island Medicaid clients. Home stabilization programs connect recipients of Medicaid to programs and services that help them find a residence and transition into housing. Services include home tenancy support, life skills training, and other modeling and teaching services to ensure participants can become or stay permanently housed.

“Our providers understand that it takes more than seeing a health care provider to maintain a person’s health,” stated Wood River Health’s President and CEO Alison L. Croke. “Our providers and staff are committed to helping our community meet their basic needs that span beyond the scope of health care. One of the ways we can contribute to this is by collaborating with community partners to improve access to safe and affordable housing for Washington County residents.”

Rhode Island has the second highest percentage of chronic homelessness in the United States. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently reported that homelessness rose by nearly 35% from 2023 to 2024 in the Ocean State; the nationwide level is 18%.

RI House GOP got the records they asked for after all. They just didn’t unzip them.

Republican effort to create an issue out of the Echo Village homeless site turn into humiliation for Mike Chippendale

Follows Charlestown's MAGA Senator Elaine Morgan's bizarre raid.

By Alexander Castro, Rhode Island Current

Rhode Island House Minority Leader Mike Chippendale blasted the state’s housing department at a March 19 press conference for not sending invoices detailing the $4.6 million spent on the ECHO Village pallet shelters in Providence. 

But the Foster Republican reversed course about an hour later even as he criticized the state’s demand for $495 to collect and release emails relating to the project.   

The Rhode Island Department of Housing actually did send Chippendale the information he requested, the minority leader acknowledged in an email after the press conference at the Rhode Island State House. 

The files in question revolved around Chippendale’s Access to Public Records Act (APRA) request for information on the 45-pallet shelter village that was approximately $1.3 million over budget when it opened in February. 

Curious as to why the project cost so much more than intended, Chippendale requested from housing officials the complete list of contractors and subcontractors involved in the construction, plus purchase orders, project budgets and any email correspondence from state officials relating to the project on Feb. 14.

Chippendale said to reporters at the 1 p.m. press conference that the state had only sent over one invoice for electricity costs. But after the press conference, the Minority Office’s legal counsel reexamined the files sent over by the housing department and found staff had not unzipped everything. 

“It appears that I did receive a file from Housing that includes some invoices attached within it,” Daniel P. Reilly, a former state rep and the minority leader’s legal counsel, wrote in an email to Chippendale Wednesday afternoon. “It appears that the file did not transfer over initially when I received it via Dropbox from Housing and was not sent to you.”

EDITORIAL ASIDE: Chippendale's spokesperson Daniel Reilly's parents William and Marielle currently hold second place on the RI Division of Taxation's list of income tax deadbeats. They moved to Boca Raton, FL leaving what now totals $2,377,830.58 delinquency. No word on what discipline, if any, will be meted out to Reilly for this screw-up.  - Will Collette

UPDATED: Charlestown State Senator Elaine Morgan’s racism continues to embarrass

Morgan is a disgrace

By Will Collette

UPDATED with the verbatim response from Morgan posted on-line by her. It appears at the end of this article.

Since her election in 2014, state Senator Elaine Morgan (R-MAGA) seems to aspire to new heights of stupidity and bigotry with every passing year. Morgan represents the northern half of Charlestown.

Morgan is crass, racist, ignorant and totally ineffective in representing her constituents. The contrast with her Senate colleague Victoria Gu who represents the southern half of Charlestown couldn’t be starker. Victoria is smart, classy and thoughtful, plus she delivers real results especially when it comes to coastal protection.

Yes, those are generalities, so let’s get to the most recent specific. WJAR reports that Morgan staged a late night, self-described DOGE-like raid on the newly opened ECHO Village Pallet shelters in Providence featuring new pre-fab one-room shelters. Apparently, this area became a new part of Morgan’s district.

Her Dogey fact-finding mission failed when her unannounced nighttime visit was turned away by security guards responsible for the safety and privacy of the site’s homeless residents.

How dare they!!!

So Morgan went to Facebook and posted this:

"I was not welcome [. – SIC] I was told by a Big Rolly Poly [SIC] Dark skinned man with a lanyard around his neck."

Apropos of nothing, she added:

"REALLY!! Guess I’ll be checking more into this HEAVILY FENCED GATED COMMUNITY [WTF?]. Where the smell of cannabis was overwhelming [SIC].”

According to WJAR, she changed the post several times and landed on this version:

"I was told by a Large Dark skinned [SIC] man with a lanyard around his neck. [SIC]'I was not welcome there [SIC] this is private property.'"

House of Hope photo

Laura Jaworski, director of the non-profit House of Hope that operates the facility gave this statement to WJAR:

"The state senator’s remarks are both uninformed and offensive. The language used to describe one of our staff members is unacceptable, and we will not tolerate the disparagement of our residents or our dedicated team…Furthermore, pulling up unannounced at night and demanding a tour of ECHO Village is entirely inappropriate. Our policies are in place to protect the safety, privacy, and dignity of the individuals we serve, many of whom have experienced significant trauma… At House of Hope, the safety and well-being of our residents and staff at ECHO Village are our top priorities. Our team works hard to create a compassionate environment where residents are connected with essential resources like case management and permanent housing supports."

Funding and Jurisdiction

Elaine Morgan conducted her raid without any authorization from the General Assembly or any other authority, despite her Facebook posting's claim that she is "with Fox News and Doge [SIC]." Did Elon Musk give her a DOGE badge or a subpoena? Did Fox News issue her with press credentials?

The project is well outside her district. The project was also funded by federal funds passed through the state and the City of Providence. As Senator Jack Reed pointed out:

“This project [Echo Village] is paid for entirely with over $4.5 million in federal funds that I helped deliver to enable the state to expand and improve its homelessness prevention services.  We need a comprehensive, coordinated strategy to ensure that no Rhode Islander experiencing homelessness is without access to safe, warm housing that protects them from the elements.”

The Preserve Residences, from their website.

Morgan whines about fencing and security. In fact, that fencing and security not only is designed to protect residents but also to accommodate the site’s neighbors. 

Echo Village is not, as Morgan claims, a “gated community.” No one but a fool would confuse the one-room pallet houses at Echo Village with, for example, the controversial Preserve Residences (see photo at right) in Morgan’s district which describes itself as “Your Own Private Luxury Retreat.”

This is not the first time Elaine Morgan abused her office to conduct her own private crusade. In 2015, I reported on a complaint filed against Morgan for using her then office as Hopkinton Town Sergeant to interfere in a complicated domestic dispute. The town sergeant does not have police power. 

Hopkinton Police took no action against Morgan on this complaint nor on another complaint filed against her. The Hopkinton Town Solicitor refused to release any details about either of these cases other than to acknowledge their existence citing Morgan’s privacy rights, a novel defense of a public official who allegedly broke the law. Find more detail and documentation HERE.

What can we do about Morgan?

Being an ignorant racist has never seemed to bother her constituents enough to dump her. Further, being such a jerk has earned Morgan some national prominence as in 2015 when she called for Syrian refugees to be imprisoned in camps because of their religion.

She even made the renowned FRED list (Fanatical Republican of the Day) list a record 9 times for her far-right nuttiness.

She even got through the 2024 election unscathed despite her 22 year old son Ian’s no contest plea to Westerly Police charges of third-degree sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl he had met online. His plea came in September shortly before the election.

What makes Ian’s misdeeds relevant is Morgan’s long record of promoting legislation to crack down on sex offenses including third-degree sexual assault. But of course she also supports a sex offender in the White House.

In 2022, Morgan was busted by the state Board of Election for illegally looting her campaign accounts to go on personal spending sprees (ever classy, she laid the blame on her deceased husband while making the contradictory claim that she "takes full responsibility"). MAGA-leaning voters in Richmond, Hopkinton and Exeter stuck with her. With some pride, voters in northern Charlestown usually support Morgan’s opponents by wide margins.

Since her MAGA-leaning constituents seem to like her racism, corruption and ineffectiveness, what can be done?

The RI Constitution does not allow for recall elections against state legislators. Some towns allow for recall elections of local elected officials. Example: the Gun Lobby’s unsuccessful effort to oust the entire Exeter Town Council by recall election in 2013. But municipal recall ordinances don’t apply to state legislators.

However, I suggest exploring whether her conduct, especially her abuse of power and racist verbiage, warrants a complaint to the RI Ethics Commission. Using her position as a state Senator to stage an unauthorized raid on a non-profit public service outside of her jurisdiction seems ripe for a sustainable ethics complaint, but I’m not a lawyer. I would invite those who ARE to weigh in on this subject.

I blame King Donald

The new regime of King Donald and President Musk has given license to people like Morgan to feel emboldened to say and do some truly terrible things.

All over the country, racists, white nationalists and Nazis have been liberated to run amok.

Triggered by Trump’s implied blessing, Morgan deputized herself as a one-woman posse and set out to bust those alleged pot-smoking homeless people in Providence who were trying to get a night’s sleep without being rousted by some Hopkinton fruitcake.

I think Morgan's response speaks for itself without any additional commentary from me.  - W. Collette

McKee's war on the homeless

Is Governor McKee looking to retaliate against homelessness service providers who question him?

Steve Ahlquist

"Everything is fine and I'm doing great.
Woe to anyone who says otherwise."

The Boston Globe’s Alexa Gagosz reported [on X] that Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee “wants to reevaluate the contract that the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness has to run the Coordinated Entry System”—the HUD-mandated shelter priority list. 

This comes less than a week after the Coalition’s Executive Director, Kimberly Simmons, issued a statement critical of the Governor’s inaction on the crisis of homelessness in the State.

The Governor has long disputed rates of homelessness in RI. On December 9, 2022, I wrote:

The Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness estimates that there are 80+ encampments across the state and that around 385 people are sleeping unhoused, including families with children, every night.

Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee, who is actively seeking to evict an encampment on the State House plaza, disputed these numbers on Thursday.

"The Governor apparently has no idea what he is talking about,”

Governor McKee misled and lied to the public about the state of homelessness in Rhode Island

Steve Ahlquist

Kim Simons, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness, ran the numbers. At the time she looked into the system, there were three beds available in Newport and three pending referrals, meaning those beds may soon be taken, and two beds available in Providence that are designated only for "transitional age youth."

Note that the Coordinated Entry System (CES) is a dynamic system that is constantly shifting, but no shift is possible in the system that will allow it to accommodate the 674 people now waiting for shelter in Rhode Island.

“Even if we count these beds, the Governor apparently has no idea what he is talking about,” said Simmons. “He doesn’t realize that even if he was accurate, how does that address the over 600 individuals who still need beds?”

Original story here:

Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee appeared on Gene Valicenti’s right-wing radio show this morning. In answer to questions about ECHO Village, a long delayed Pallet Shelter project that could potential house 45 people currently experiencing homelessness, the Governor proceeded to mislead and lie to the public.

First, some basic facts: Rates of homelessness in Rhode Island have increased by 34.9% in the last year, and has more than doubled since Governor McKee took office. Over 650 people cannot find shelter in Rhode Island on any given night, a conservative estimate given that the last official count was nearly on year ago, and conditions have not improved.

Asked about the delays in completing ECHO Village, the Governor acknowledged them, but then pointed to two other projects that he implied would help to bridge the gap in available beds, and implied they were open or would be opening soon. Summer Street Apartments, a project by Crossroads, will add 176 units, in the Fall of 2025, nine months from now. The purchase of the Charlesgate Senior Living Center in Providence where the state hopes to shelter 200 people was only finalized in October. When those units will open is unknown.

The Governor noted that the State currently has “more beds today than we ever had” which is both true, and meaningless. Even as the State has added beds, homelessness in Rhode Island has continued to rise, and the gap in need has expanded, not narrowed. See this chart:

The Governor then made his big lie:

Governor McKee: In fact, all our beds are not even filled right now.

Gene Valicenti: You have shelter beds, you’re saying, open tonight. For anybody who’s homeless, there’s a bed for them tonight to stay warm. Are you saying that?

Governor McKee: If the call is made, there are beds that are available right now.

The wait time on Rhode Island’s Coordinated Entry System (CES) is over two hours as of this writing. There are no beds available for women, families, or couples. There may be beds available, for men, at Harrington Hall in Cranston, but that is far from certain.