Newport Daily News
$475K grant will help expand services for Newport County homeless
Laura DamonNewport Daily News
Published December 3, 2020
With a $475,000 grant from the Consolidated Homeless Fund, local agencies will work together to expand services for the homeless population. “The funding helps us provide more housing services, increase shelter bed capacity during the winter and reduce the risk of the homeless population from contracting COVID-19,” Jimmy Winters of the Housing Hotline and the Homelessness Collaborative serving Newport County said in a prepared statement.
The Consolidated Homeless Fund provides grant money to general local government and nonprofit organizations that provide services to the homeless. The CHF is overseen by the Office of Homelessness Services and Emergency Assistance, a branch of the state's Housing Resources Commission. Winters added the funding also provides a “pathway to permanent housing.” Jimmy and Barbara Winters are teaming up with Newport Mental Health and Debbie Johnston, executive director of the McKinney Cooperative Shelter, to expand the grant's housing and behavioral health services.
The grant will enable Newport Mental Health to form clinical teams specializing in mental healthcare for homeless people. Individuals will have access to a broad range of evidence-based behavioral health programs, workforce development, and round-the-clock mobile crisis support.
“With our partners, we’re able to provide the basic needs of food and shelter while engaging homeless individuals in behavioral health treatment and recovery,” Jamie Lehane, president, and CEO of Newport Mental Health, said in a prepared statement. According to a figure from Newport Mental Health, an estimated 77% of people experiencing homelessness at the beginning of the pandemic are currently receiving substance use and/or mental health services.
Local landlords are encouraged to contact Newport Mental Health if they are interested in partnering with the agency to provide 12-month leases for homeless people and receive guaranteed market-rate rents in return.
Between the state and the Rhode Island Foundation, Newport Mental Health , throughout the pandemic, has received more than $600,000 in state and federal dollars earmarked for collaborative work to support the homeless population. "Behavioral health is a core component of leading a healthy life. It’s heartening to see growing financial support for Newport Mental Health's care of Rhode Islanders struggling with depression, substance use disorder, and other challenges,” Zach Nieder, Rhode Island Foundation's strategic initiative officer, said in a prepared statement.
“This incredible level of support is coming into our community because of the leadership that Jimmy and Barbara Winters have shown. They had given a voice to the underserved, worked tirelessly for decades when no one was watching, and continue to inspire our team with their unparalleled compassion,” Lehane said.