On the second floor of a multi-family house in Central Falls in early February, Henry Severino, a construction specialist with Rhode Island Housing, was focused on doors. The damage was obvious: paint chipping off the frames, layers of old paint peeking through after years of wear and tear. “Let’s replace these doors because the kid […]
Woonsocket
Posted inEpisode, Housing, The Weekly Catch
Offshore wind, housing insecurity in Newport, homelessness solutions in Woonsocket, and more
Rhode Island Energy this week dropped their plans to be part of another large wind farm project off the coast. But that’s not slowing down the push to put up more of these giant turbines to generate renewable energy. We’ll get the latest from South Coast Bureau Reporter Ben Berke. And, a look back on an eventful week in politics from Political Reporter Ian Donnis. Also, two stories about housing insecurity in Rhode Island—one from Newport Bureau Reporter Cheryl Hatch, about a man who was priced out of Newport, now living in his car; and another from Health Reporter Lynn Arditi, about Woonsocket’s latest effort to address homelessness in the city. Plus, Artscape Producer James Baumgartner looks at an immersive new exhibit at the Providence College Galleries, and offers a few tips on what to do this week.
Posted inArticle, Health
A ‘Dignity Bus’ from Florida arrives in Woonsocket, R.I. to shelter people who are homeless
A coach bus retrofitted with sleeping pods this week rolled into Woonsocket, R.I. The city bought the ‘Dignity Bus’ from a Florida nonprofit for $150,000 to help house people who are homeless. Health Reporter Lynn Arditi takes us inside. This story was produced for the ear. Please click the button above to listen. The transcript […]
Posted inEpisode, Housing, The Weekly Catch
The Weekly Catch: Politics, poetry, and the uphill battle to tackle the housing crisis in RI
House Speaker Joe Shekarchi on the housing crisis in Rhode Island: “I recognized from the very beginning it would be a multi-year effort.”
Posted inArticle, Health
Woonsocket to buy the `Dignity Bus’ homeless shelter after deal with state fell apart
The City of Woonsocket plans to buy a $150,000 bus retrofitted with beds for people who are homeless after Rhode Island’s deal to buy the “Dignity Bus” from a Florida-based nonprofit fell through. The Woonsocket City Council unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday to enter into a contract with The Source, a Christian-based nonprofit, for a […]
Posted inArticle
Woonsocket officer disciplined for wrongful arrest of homeless Liberian immigrant
A Woonsocket police detective who oversaw an investigation that resulted in the wrongful arrest and incarceration of Mack Blackie, a 35-year-old homeless Liberian immigrant, has been suspended without pay for 10 days and demoted to patrol officer. Timothy M. Hammond “failed to follow standard investigative procedures which ultimately led to the improper arrest of Mr. […]
Posted inArticle
The Weekly Catch: March 10, 2023
We break down the top local stories from the past week.
Posted inArticle, Business
‘They’re gonna take my house. That’s what went through my head’ Why Woonsocket homeowners don’t have access to tax sale protections
A Rhode Island law protects homeowners from losing their house after falling behind on property taxes or utility bills. But a new investigation by The Public’s Radio found that homeowners in Woonsocket have been blocked from accessing those protections.
Posted inArticle, Health
Mobile addiction treatment clinic ordered to leave Woonsocket
The City of Woonsocket has ordered a mobile health clinic licensed to dispense addiction treatment medication to leave its current location, saying it’s in violation of city zoning laws. The “cease and desist order” states that the mobile clinic operated by CODAC Behavioral Healthcare is parked in a major commercial district rather than an area […]
Posted inArticle, Health
Lack of safe, affordable, community-based housing contributes to homelessness, addiction in RI
In December we brought you a three-part series called Chasing the Fix, an in-depth look at the challenges that some of Woonsocket’s homeless residents face with addiction. It was a project of The Public’s Radio health reporter Lynn Arditi, who spoke with morning host Luis Hernandez about the series, some of the developments since last month, and possible solutions to address homelessness and addiction in Woonsocket and around the state.