Tent City

New ...Providence tent cities media links.

Providence Tent Cities in Court (& the bullshit claim that the system works)

Providence's tent cities spent yesterday in court. Channel 10 has an update on the recent efforts to evict the residents.

In this video, you'll hear the claim that "the system that's in place works." But I absolutely believe that the system in place does NOT work. By "the system" I mean the current shelter system, the government's limited involvement in subsidized housing, and the ubiquity of services that patronize rather than treat homeless individuals like human beings.

The problem of homelessness is not that people aren't willing to take part in a successful system. This explanation conveniently blames the 6,500+ homeless individuals in Rhode Island, as if this population's suffering is their own fault and they're merely failing to take advantage of the plentiful resources available to them. This explanation gives government officials the sense that they've 'done all that they can.'

This explanation avoids any discussion of the lack of affordable housing in Rhode Island. ...as if homelessness and the absence of housing aren't connected!

What if we stopped accepting the claim that "the system in place works"?

• Projo's article "Homes out of reach in 30 communitites, new study says" (6/18/09).

• Street Sights' article "Homelessness is a solvable problem" (June 2009, issue #23, page 10). (direct link to the pdf)

• "RI losing the war on Homelessness," (3/30/09), from the Projo.

• "Affordable housing out of reach," Channel 10 Report (4/14/09).
  

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More media on tent city's relocation:

• Article from The Day, in CT (8/8/09).
• Channel 6.
• And more examples of the rush to help move people, when the cameras are on (Boston.com)

For regular updates on media about tent city -- go here.

Tent City in Woonsocket, RI

Up north in Woonsocket, RI, a tent city has appeared in the courtyard of a Methodist Church (see the Projo and Woonsocket Call). Seems that they are struggling with protecting this encampment, regardless of its need. As of today, the people staying in the tents were forced to relocate. NPR has a quick blurb about the relocation, as did the Projo (below).

Woonsocket says church's homeless tents must go. (4/27/09, Projo News Blog - Paul Davis). WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- When Pastor Brian Souza sheltered the homeless in tents at his church on April 20, he had their safety in mind, he says. He also wanted to draw attention to Rhode Island's growing homeless population. He did -- but not in the way he hoped.

Last week, city officials said the homeless cannot sleep in the four dome tents Souza pitched in the courtyard of his church, called River United Methodist Communities.The tents are in a commercial, not a residential zone, Joel Mathews, the city's director of planning and development, said Monday. Even if they were part of a residence, the tents could only house family members, he said. "In that zone, we could cite him for a number of things," including safety and sanitary issues, Mathews said. Already, some businesses have complained, he added.

The 101-year-old church sits on Federal Street, a short road between Clinton and Main Streets, near the Blackstone River. Souza said he wants the city or state to find permanent homes for the six men, who are members of his church.

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An update on the tent city in Woonsocket:

"Woonsocket pastor shuts down tent city at his church - WOONSOCKET -- Under orders from the city, the Rev. Brian J. Souza Thursday removed his campground for the homeless -- a handful of blue tents in the courtyard of his urban church.

It was a difficult decision, said Souza, pastor of the River-United Methodist Communities on Federal Street. The former cop pitched the tents on April 20 to house a half-dozen people, including a deaf woman and a 53-year-old veteran with a prosthetic leg. Souza said he wanted to create a safe haven for people who are down and out, and draw attention to the plight of the state's growing homeless population.

But on Monday, city officials ordered Mr. Souza to remove the tents. The tents, officials said, are in a commercial, not a residential zone.

The six homeless people "will go into the woods somewhere," said Mr. Souza, who plans to host a public forum on the problem later this month. The homeless need permanent housing, he said. "I'm talking to government officials and community leaders." (Projo. May 07, 2009, PaulDavis)"
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For updates, see also: Tent City Related Posts.

Channel 10 features Street Sights

As you may know, Street Sights is a local street paper covering issues that affect the homeless community throughout the state of Rhode Island.

Last week Channel 10 (NBC) dropped by a few Street Sights meetings to report on our two year anniversary. The short piece, aired this past Monday, March 9th, mentions the issues covered by Street Sights (like the tent city under the Crawford Street Bridge in Providence), how the paper has given a voice to the homeless, and changed the lives of those involved. The local news coverage was a great way to inform the public about the organization, as well as encourage members of the community to get involved. The Channel 10 video is posted on their website and can be viewed here.

Food Stamp Concerns in RI

A fellow staff member at Street Sights today mentioned that she's covering an interesting story in Providence -- that local advocates are requesting an increase in the number of RI government employees hired to oversee the distribution of food stamps, as well as the removal or revision of the current assets-test used to determine eligibility. I'll post a link to the issue, if we cover this story in next month's Street Sights. ***Channel 10 (NBC) was present at this morning's protest. Click here for the Channel 10 video.

Also, the February issue of Street Sights, including our first report on the tent city in Providence, is now available online. You can find it here (be patient, it takes a while to fully load) or at the main website for Street Sights.

Memorial Service

Today I'm working at the Homeless Memorial Service at Beneficent Church, downtown. The purpose of the service is to celebrate and respect the lives of anyone who died without housing this past year. Family members and members of the homeless community come together in memory of those lost. Details available at Beneficent Church.

UPDATE: Today's service was beautiful, but difficult. It was difficult to see a church filled to the brim in memory of way too many people who died while being homeless. 30+ names were read, but it felt like 3,000. I'm paraphrasing, but Rabbi Alan Flam said it well: "We are all members of the human family and because of that we have a responsibility to take care of one another."

The Providence Journal noted the service in their news blog (including a nice photo), and a brief video of bits of the service can be found here.