Woonsocket City Council Takes Action on Homelessness Crisis
WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WPRI) — In a decisive move against the homelessness crisis, the Woonsocket City Council approved two significant measures on Monday. The council sanctioned the establishment of a new 50-bed homeless shelter in a vacant building on Cumberland Street, funded by the Rhode Island Department of Housing. Simultaneously, they enacted a ban on encampments on city property, making it a punishable offense with fines of up to $250 for repeat offenders.
The decisions followed input from concerned residents, who highlighted the need for a balanced approach to address both the needs of the homeless and the concerns of the community. While some viewed the measures as a positive step towards better solutions, others raised doubts, emphasizing that shelters alone cannot resolve the homelessness crisis.
Council President Dan Gendron noted approximately 65 unhoused residents currently inhabit encampments in the city, indicating the need for humane and timely enforcement. Mayor Christopher Beauchamp assured that the removal of encampments would be carried out compassionately, providing ample time for residents to relocate. This marked the second passage of the measures, set to take effect in 11 days.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
