‘We need to do better:' After delays, Rhode Island opens ECHO Village pallet shelters in Providence

Boston Globe

11-02-2025

'I've been out here for 15 minutes and I'm cold. Imagine sleeping in the cold,' said Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi. 'This is something to celebrate, but let's not lose sight that people are outside.'
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Shekarchi recalled
a homeless individual
who slept outside in the Smith Hill neighborhood and allegedly froze to death last month, according to Shekarchi and service providers. He was 48.
'Everyone here: We need to do more, and we need to do better,' Shekarchi said.
One of 45 single units at ECHO Village in Providence, Rhode Island's newly opened pallet shelter for individuals and couples who are homeless.
Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff
ECHO Village, 45 small, one-room structures on a vacant plot of state-owned land on Victor Street behind the Foxy Lady, has been in the works since at least 2020. In that time, the number of people experiencing homelessness in Rhode Island has more than doubled, from 1,104 people in 2020 to more than 2,400 people in 2024, according to
'This village is more than a roof. It's a path to dignity and change,' said
The shelter will have around-the-clock services on-site from House of Hope, one of the state's leading providers of services for homeless people.
As the pandemic began in 2020, Jaworski suggested using pallet shelters in a plan she called '
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The idea to use temporary, rapidly deployable pallet shelters to provide emergency winter housing has been in the works for the last several winters, but the state had failed to identify a location. In October 2022, advocates called on the state to place 30 of these tiny homes at the Pastore Complex in Cranston, but the idea faced swift
In all, there were six attempts before the state-owned land was determined to be a viable solution last year. Yet the shelter still faced multiple delays.
Despite growing public scrutiny and pressure from advocates, the state has had to address potential public safety concerns — such as building code and fire safety requirements — before opening the 70-square-foot sleeping units.
During
just
With the units sitting vacant for months, the delays have been the subject of frustration among some elected officials.
'It's like you're on a boat, see people drowning, have space on the boat, and say 'I wish someone could help them,'' said Senator Jessica De La Cruz, a North Smithfield Republican.
A restroom that is ADA compliant at ECHO Village in Providence. In addition to the 45 one-room units, the project also includes four office units; three hygiene units that include four full baths, and one staff bathroom; one laundry unit; and one large community unit.
Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff
This is a large community unit. In addition to the 45 one-room units, the project also includes four office units; three hygiene units that include four full baths, one ADA-compliant bathroom, and one staff bathroom; one laundry unit; and one large community unit. The red tanks on the ceiling - 4 of 6 - are part of the fire-suppression system.
Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff
In addition to the 45 one-room units, the project also
includes four office units; three hygiene units that include four full baths, one ADA-compliant bathroom, and one staff bathroom; one laundry unit; and one large community unit. Each unit is equipped with fire suppression systems, smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors, heating and cooling units, and fire-retardant paint.
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House of Hope staff will provide on-site case management, housing and benefits application assistance, job training, and health-related services such as substance use recovery and mental health support. Amos House, a shelter and homeless services provider, will partner with House of Hope to provide daily meals to those on site.
Individuals who will be staying in the units will
be moving in on Wednesday.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley called on his counterparts throughout the state to 'step up.'
'It is our hope that this is the first, and not the last, ECHO Village in Rhode Island. It is our hope that this is the first, but not the last ECHO Village in Providence,' said Smiley.
Under Governor Dan McKee's administration, the number of shelter beds for homeless individuals has increased from 800 to about 1,300. But homelessness has also increased, and more work needs to be done, he said.
'There are too many people in Rhode Island, and in the nation, that do not have a bed' to go home to, said McKee.
Material from previous Globe articles was used in this report.
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