New report shows homelessness declined 4.2% in Rhode Island

Downtown Providence at night. Photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Homelessness in Rhode Island has declined by 4.2%, according to federal housing officials.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released its annual homeless assessment report to Congress Thursday.

The report found that in Rhode Island, 1,055 people experienced homelessness on a single night in January 2019, which is down 4.2% since 2018 and down 17.7% since 2010.

Neighboring Massachusetts saw one of the largest declines nationwide in the number of homeless people, with 552 fewer individuals, though the report notes the state had a “very high” rate of homelessness among families.

Nationally, homelessness increased 3% between 2018 and 2019.