WARM CENTER TO OPEN NEW TEMPORARY FAMILY SHELTER IN WASHINGTON COUNTY

Published on Wednesday, February 21, 2024

KINGSTON, RI, February 21, 2024 —The Rhode Island Department of Housing, in collaboration with The WARM Center, the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH), and the University of Rhode Island is pleased to announce the opening of a new temporary family shelter.  

Beginning February 21 and operating through April, the temporary shelter will have 30 beds to house up to 12 families, with the goal of obtaining permanent housing, and will be located on the Western edge of the URI campus.  

“The opening of this shelter is part of our strategy to meet the needs of vulnerable Rhode Islanders in all areas of the state,” said Secretary of Housing Stefan Pryor. “With the opening of this shelter, we have added 338 beds to the shelter system this winter— up 32% from the beginning of 2023. We are grateful to the WARM Center, BHDDH, and URI for their collaboration and dedication to finding solutions to family homelessness this winter. We thank Governor McKee, the General Assembly, and our Congressional Legislation for the resources to make this shelter possible.” 

The daily operations of the program will be overseen by WARM's Director of Family Services, Amanda Imbriglio, with shelter staff on site 24/7 to ensure the program operates as intended--providing comprehensive, wraparound, person-centered case-management services that meet the unique needs of the families, while treating them with compassion, hope, and dignity.  

“We are receiving calls daily from families who are struggling to find shelter,” said WARM Executive Director, Russ Partridge. “With the lack of affordable housing in Washington County, having this resource here will be a game changer for our families and community.”  

WARM Center is the primary service provider for homeless services in Washington County.