News Summary
The former Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket will reopen as a 120-bed homeless shelter next month, initiated by OpenDoors RI. The shelter aims to offer critical services and assistance to the homeless population amid an ongoing housing crisis in Rhode Island. With $3.1 million in state funding, OpenDoors plans to provide a range of support services including housing assistance and job training. While the transition comes with challenges, local officials emphasize the need for affordable housing solutions in the community.
Pawtucket, Rhode Island – The former Memorial Hospital is set to reopen as a 120-bed homeless shelter next month, as OpenDoors RI prepares to relocate individuals currently residing at the Motel 6 on Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick. This transition comes amid an ongoing housing crisis in Rhode Island, highlighting the pressing need for immediate and effective support for the homeless population.
The Rhode Island Department of Housing has confirmed that OpenDoors will receive $3.1 million from the state to manage the new shelter. This funding is part of a broader effort to provide critical services to homeless individuals and families within the state. OpenDoors, which currently operates a shelter at Motel 6, has been partially funded by the state to the tune of approximately $938,000 for a one-year contract.
The former Memorial Hospital was closed by Care New England in 2017 and was later acquired by Memorial Real Estate Group, LLC, in 2021. The facility had previously served as a shelter under the management of the nonprofit organization Amos House until November 2022, when a serious sprinkler malfunction led to flooding, displacing 30 families at that time.
Since the hospital’s closure, extensive repairs have been undertaken by Memorial Real Estate Group, LLC, which is owned by Michael Mota. Despite the necessary improvements, Mota is currently facing legal challenges from multiple creditors and vendors concerning unpaid debts. However, the state has indicated that the reopening of the shelter is contingent upon passing necessary health and safety inspections from the city of Pawtucket.
OpenDoors Co-Executive Director Nick Horton has emphasized that the extended space available in the former hospital will allow for a more comprehensive range of services, which include housing assistance, benefits application support, job training, and addiction recovery programs. This expansion aims to provide a holistic approach to homelessness by addressing the root causes and offering necessary support to residents.
The relocation from Motel 6 has been met with mixed feelings. Although the shelter at Motel 6 has faced scrutiny, especially from local authorities concerned with public safety, no complaints have been reported since its establishment. Mayor Frank Picozzi expressed concerns regarding potential strains on local police and fire departments, but the impact has remained manageable thus far.
Before the formal transition to a homeless shelter, the plans for the new facility must be finalized and communicated with the city. Key city officials, including Mayor Donald Grebien and City Council President Terrence Mercer, are scheduled to meet with Acting Housing Secretary Deborah Goddard to discuss the shelter details and ensure community needs are met during this transition.
The support for affordable housing in Pawtucket continues to be a priority for local officials, who recognize the urgent need to address homelessness within the community. The reopening of the former Memorial Hospital as a shelter signifies important progress in providing necessary services to vulnerable populations amid an ongoing housing crisis in Rhode Island.
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Additional Resources
- WPRI: $2.8M Awarded to 5 RI Communities for Affordable Housing Projects
- GoLocalProv: RI Architect Launches Blue ADU to Combat Housing Crisis
- Providence Journal: Pawtucket City Council Stops Homeless Shelter at Memorial Hospital
- Wikipedia: Homelessness in the United States
- WPRI: RI Gets $17M in Federal Grants to Combat Homelessness
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Affordable Housing
