A tent and covered supermarket cart are shown in November off the bike path in the north end of Newport. (Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current)
As overnight temperatures dip into the teens and 20s this week, Gov. Dan McKee’s administration on Monday night opened two emergency shelters for people experiencing homelessness.
The WARM Center, 56 Spruce St., in Westerly operates 24/7 during the winter. The second location is the West Warwick Civic Center, 100 Factory St., West Warwick, which will be open 24 hours through 8 a.m. Thursday.
Also Tuesday, the Providence City Council announced it will open its chamber at City Hall starting at 7 p.m. as an additional gathering space from the cold.
“As a polar vortex grips Providence, many of our unhoused neighbors are being forced to sleep outside in dangerous temperatures,” City Councilor Justin Roias said in a statement. “With only two 24/7 emergency shelters open, the response from the mayor and governor has been woefully inadequate.”
Rhode Island’s homeless have a story to tell. Low wages, high rents, few shelters add to suffering.