What is happening at the bus kiosk on Roosevelt Avenue and Main Street near Slater Mill? One recent day, 15 homeless people were sleeping inside the kiosk. In this group of people, included mothers with small children. This set-up is neither helpful to the homeless, nor to visitors to the Blackstone Valley Visitors Center.

Some of the homeless seem to be nice people. I spoke to one of them as to why they chose the site. ''Oh heck, the police find us sleeping somewhere else, and they keep moving us around every 15 minutes at night. So, by morning, we end up here.''

Arthur, one of the most taboo topics one can say to most local and national politicians are ''poverty'', ''homelessness'', ''mental illness'', and ''national health care.'' However, I know the mayor and city council do support the homeless shelter on Barton Street. Nevertheless, I think it would be prudent for the city to find a second shelter somewhere in the city of Pawtucket.

What is the progress of the proposed homeless shelter on 85 Slater Street? The Times on Friday mentioned the Urban League has considered buying a site that was to have been the girls State Training School, near St.John the Baptist Church.



By Concerned Citizen

Homeless Helped Not

I thought we had a heart and were planning for our homeless. Some were long time residents of the city. What a bum effort. Have a Heart!

By Disappointed Pawtucketite

Some permanent efforts underway

Hi Arthur,

PCDC is planning to renovate the former McAloon Funeral Home into 6 units of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) for chronically homeless men. We are working with the Mental Health Association of RI and their ACCESS RI program that is located on East Avenue . ACCESS will provide case management services. I know that the City has taken the position that the solution is to find permanent housing for Pawtucket ?’s homeless rather than opening up more shelters. (We are also working with New Hope for Families, the shelter on Barton St . , to provide 3 units of permanent housing for their clients.) From what I understand the shelter at St. Paul ?’s Church will be opening up for the winter with the support of the City as well as other agencies.



Just thought I?’d pass this along so that folks know that we are working to provide permanent housing for Pawtucket ?’s homeless community.



Nancy




By Nancy Whit