ECHO VILLAGE SET TO OPEN ITS DOORS TO PROVIDE SHELTER AND SUPPORT FOR RHODE ISLANDERS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
Published on Tuesday, February 11, 2025
PROVIDENCE, RI, – Today, Governor Dan McKee, the Rhode Island Department of Housing, the City of Providence, and the House of Hope Community Development Corporation marked the opening of ECHO Village, the first pallet shelter pilot in Rhode Island, designed to address the state's homelessness crisis. This project was supported by State Fiscal Recovery Funds, a Community Development Block Grant, and funding from the City of Providence.
“ECHO Village marks the latest addition to the state’s inventory of over 1,300 shelter beds,” said Governor Dan McKee. “Our administration remains committed to address homelessness in partnership with our cities and towns, service providers, faith-based communities, and other local partners.”
ECHO Village features 45 one-room Pallet units, each 70 square feet; four office units; three hygiene units that include four full baths, one ADA bathroom, and one staff bathroom; one laundry unit; and one large community unit. Each unit is equipped with fire suppression systems, smoke and CO detectors, heating and cooling units, and fire-retardant paint, all ensuring the safety and well-being of residents.
“I applaud everyone who worked hard to make this project a reality. ECHO Village will increase the state’s inventory of shelter beds, provide critical supportive services, and help keep more people safe as they transition to permanent supportive housing,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed. “This project is paid for entirely with over $4.5 million in federal funds that I helped deliver to enable the state to expand and improve its homelessness prevention services. We need a comprehensive, coordinated strategy to ensure that no Rhode Islander experiencing homelessness is without access to safe, warm housing that protects them from the elements.”
“ECHO Village is a new and much-needed temporary option that should give Rhode Islanders experiencing homelessness space to shelter from the cold,” said U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “There’s a long way to go, but the delegation has secured major federal investments to assist the state in reducing homelessness and lower housing costs for Rhode Island families.”
Operated by service provider House of Hope, ECHO Village is designed to support the most vulnerable unsheltered Rhode Islanders, particularly those who have been living on the streets for the longest time – 66% of these individuals will be from Providence. In advance of the site opening, House of Hope's street outreach team began identifying potential ECHO clients, and, as early as Wednesday, will begin assisting them in moving from unsafe living situations, such as tents or vehicles, to ECHO Village. Client move-ins will be in waves, with groups of 10-15 individuals moving in each week. This phased approach by House of Hope ensures safety and effectiveness and allows for the pace to be adjusted as needed until ECHO Village reaches full capacity.
“I’m encouraged that federal, state and local officials are coming together to combat homelessness in our state,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “The successful completion of ECHO Village will expand temporary housing capacity and make strides in supporting vulnerable Rhode Islanders. During these cold winter months, it is essential we get residents out of the cold and into a safe and warm place to stay as a first step to finding stable housing.”
“Increasing Rhode Island’s housing supply at every level is essential to ensuring that everyone—no matter their circumstances—has a safe and stable place to call home,” said Congressman Seth Magaziner. “I remain committed to working with partners in government and the nonprofit and private sectors to expand Rhode Island’s housing supply.”
“Rhode Island’s unhoused population has increased dramatically in the last several years, and we are in dire need of more housing for people experiencing homelessness,” said House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi. “I am very pleased to mark the opening ECHO Village, which will provide much-needed shelter, stability, and safety for its clients.”
“The opening of ECHO Village has been a long time coming, and the road to get here has not been easy. But what matters most is that today, Rhode Island is taking action,” said Senator Jacob E. Bissaillon (D-Dist. 1, Providence), Chairman, Senate Committee on Housing & Municipal Government. “ECHO Village will provide shelter, dignity, and stability to those in need—because having a place to stay is the first step for an individual to regain their footing and develop the agency to rebuild their life. A pallet in ECHO Village is more than four walls and a roof, it is the opportunity to reclaim one’s future by making choices over their own life and turn hardship into hope. In my district and in the heart of our capital city, we are proving that progress is possible. On behalf of President Ruggerio and my Senate colleagues, I want to thank everyone whose hard work and perseverance made this possible.”
In addition to having House of Hope staff deliver wraparound support services including onsite case management, housing and benefits application assistance, job training, and health-related services such as substance use recovery and mental health support, Amos House will be partnering with House of Hope to provide daily meals to those on site.
“The opening of ECHO Village is another addition to Rhode Island’s efforts to address homelessness while providing safe, dignified shelter for those in need,” said Secretary of Housing Deborah Goddard. “By working together with local partners, the state continues to demonstrate its commitment to addressing homelessness through innovative solutions and collaboration. This project is a key part of the state’s broader strategy to work towards bridging the gap between the streets and permanent supportive housing for Rhode Islanders experiencing homelessness.”
“In Providence, we are taking a multi-pronged approach to supporting our unhoused neighbors and addressing the housing crisis. Innovative initiatives like ECHO Village play a critical role in providing safe shelter for our neighbors who need support,” said Mayor Brett P. Smiley. “I am proud to have collaborated with our State, local and community partners to open this location that will provide shelter, critical resources and stability for Providence's unhoused population.”
“At House of Hope, we believe housing is a basic human right – and too many Rhode Islanders have been denied this right for far too long,” said Laura Jaworski, Executive Director of House of Hope. “Despite countless challenges and obstacles along the way, we never lost sight of the most critical goal of this project – providing a safe and dignified place to sleep each night, for those we serve - and that unwavering commitment has brought ECHO Village to life. We are proud to open this new chapter, building a bridge to stability, empowerment, and hope for people as they transition from homelessness to housing.”
“These 45 units will be a lifeline for Rhode Islanders who have too often been turned away and left behind,” said Providence City Council President Rachel Miller. “ECHO Village is a model of exactly what we need while we fight for longer-term solutions: low-barrier, emergency shelters. Today, we celebrate that the people of Providence have a new place to turn to when times get tough. And tomorrow, we keep fighting for the next policy win, the next life changing project – until every Providence resident and every Rhode Islander has a place to call home.”
“We at Pallet are so grateful to see this site finally opening and we look forward to ongoing partnership with the state to shelter its unhoused community members,” said Amy King, CEO and Founder of Pallet. “Shelter is critical for life safety: to prevent unnecessary deaths resulting from exposure to the elements, while providing stability and consistent access to essential services. Pallet has been a successful partner to more than 119 cities and 31 states across the country and we are excited to see the community here embrace this model. We look forward to working with the state to continue to streamline the process to enable and deliver more shelter with the urgency and scale this crisis deserves.”
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Media Contact: Emily Marshall, 401-368-6113, emily.marshall@housing.ri.gov