State agencies say tent cities have to move
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Tent City To Move
The state DOT wants people living under I-195 to move by August.Published: July 16, 2009
Updated: July 16, 2009
About 90 homeless people living in tents under closed stretches of Interstate 195 in Providence have to move by next month.
The Providence Journal reported Thursday that police and state transportation officials went to two tent cities this week to deliver that message.
The Department of Transportation said it is worried about the safety of people living under deteriorating sections of the highway, which is scheduled to be torn down next year.
“We also recognize people are in unfortunate situations and we want to be compassionate about that,“ said Michael Lewis, of the department of transportation.
State officials said they will work with Crossroads Rhode Island and other organizations to find alternative housing.
Anne Nolan, president of Crossroads, said they have the additional capacity but admits there are challenges.
“There are issues that are legitimate in that there are no shelters that accommodate couples,“ she said.
Jim Ryczek, of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless, said it’s critical to reach out to the people who are living at the tent cities.
“We need to activate more of the service providers to form a task force to go out to the tent cities to do assessments to figure out what they’re options are,“ he said.
Neighbors of the tent cities have expressed concerns over the growing homeless populations.
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Reader Reactions
Good - they should be kicked out of Providence immediately. Obama’s stimulus plan will have them working soon enough… wait, it failed. Maybe if our state legislators didn’t use the stimulus to fix budget holes, it would have created jobs. I say send the tent cities to lawns of the idiots that created our state budget… or even better, the idiots that voted these officials into office!!
Loripb- if you go and speak wth Barbara at the tent city- she is their “coordinator”, she will let you know. She is very nice. I didn’t see any children myself, but I am sure cothes would be appreciated too. God bless you.
Thank You all for the insight of the tent city. This weekend I’m going to talk to my neighbors and see what we can do to help.
As far as this state goes I am livid with the way they are helping people. I am a single parent with 2 children and lost my job, When I filed for unemployment i was put on a waiting list and they sent me a letter saying i would have a phone appt. 2 months later. So in the meantime I went down to apply for food stamps and got them. but now that I am getting 60% of my salary from unemployment food stamps has kicked me off.
This is becoming a doggie dog situation and we are going to see more crime and more tent cities and people fighting over basic needs
I HAVE PAID TAXES MY WHOLE LIFE and for what? to have the state and gov not care and raise the taxes of people trying to hold on to their jobs
WE NEED MAJOR REFORM NOW!!!!!!!
Its a shame we live in one of the worlds richest nations yet we have a 3rd world country beneath our feet that no politician wants to tackle we must end poverty in the united states before we begin to sen “aid” to other nations, we must help our fellow man in this country it is just not right to see people suffer when we have so much…
Suggestion! Why doesn’t our state agencies regarding the homeless look into using the vacant Navy housing in Portsmouth. I think our State congressional people could make this happen and help these people. We need to help these people.
I gotta agree with all of you people that left comments about this wonderful state we live in. I work 40+ hours a week my wife is a stay at home mom who is unable to work due to health reasons, any thing we try to apply for is shot down cause we make to much money. Thank god for mom and dad being there or we would be living in tent city as well
grasshopper… thank you so much for the info. Do they need clothes as well? i have sooo many of my son’s clothes that he’s outgrown. I will gather some of those supplies and drop them off. I am not the least bit leary of going there.
Bianca… that is so sad! I work for the City but trust me in my dept. i work my butt off. But its funny u said that my son said the other day he saw all these DOT trucks on the highway and all the guys were just sitting around. Money well spent uh? Don’t get me wrong some City depts. are the same as i’m sure u’ve seen on target 12. 
Money should be allocated a bit differently. Help those who need it and appreciate it!!!
This situation is sad really. And the am radio was just talking about DOT workers and how one was over heard making a comment that he knew he was doing the work wrong but that it was job security. I myself live in public housing, go to college full time, raise 4 children, and my husband works 60-70 hours a week and we are barely making it. You are so correct when you say it could happen to anyone…it really could. Tent city and this state is in dire need of some kind of resolution.
Loripb - if you or friends/family are interested in dropping off items, here’s what they mentioned would be most appreciated: mayonnaise (they have canned tuna and chicken), sliced bread, salt, papper, laundry detergent, the small propane cyclinders ($2.99 at Dick’s Sporting Goods), small paper cups. The tent city under the 195 east onramp has about 20 people. I brought a large box of the above items and soap, deodorant, toothpaste, etc. A friend had the items and wanted to bring them to the tent city but was a little hesitant, so I went over and spoke to Barabara there and asked what they most needed. My neighbors contributed and we’ve decided to gather items once a month to help out. It’s not a hardship to throw an extra can or jar of something in our shopping carts, but collectively it makes a big difference. Last I went 5 people had left and found housing, so there is an effort to not stay there. I’d be glad to connect with you if you’d like to participate too. They are extremely gracious.
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