Homelessness in Rhode Island

The need for recognition of the homeless as a special population.
All over the state of Rhode Island, a certain lack of awareness for the needs of the homeless community is present. Discrimination is widespread on a variety of different scales - from hostile treatment of the homeless in hospitals and clinics to their calls being ignored or dismissed as unimportant by the State's Emergency Services. The homeless population is currently in excess of 4,000 - and their daily plight is exaggerated not only by the utter inadequacy of the healthcare and shelter system, but additionally by the treatment they receive when they pursue basic needs such as emergency treatment, a bed for the night, some food or protection in the eyes of the law. It is clear that what is needed is parity and equality   for the homeless as citizens of the state, and as fellow human beings. These are the things we advocate for at RIMAP: basic principles of sensitivity and humanitarianism.


Discrimination:
The research we conducted regarding the treatment of the homeless in the medical system yielded the following fundamental problems and trends of discrimination. A primary trend is that medical personnel often dismiss the homeless as drunkards and/or drug addicts, seeking food and a bed for the night rather than medical attention. Thus the care they are provided is often severely inadequate. At times, this has proven fatal, as the homeless are placed at the bottom of the waiting list either in the emergency room or for much-needed surgeries, and legitimate medical emergencies are ignored.

Below are some testimonials we received from members of the homeless community during the course of our research:

"As soon as they saw my backpack, they assumed I wanted to get a free meal or sleep there for the night."

"I kept hearing the doctors and nurses and doctors saying I was drunk when I wasn't."

"They released me at 4.30am, even though I told them all the shelters were closed."

"When I went in, they just wrote me a prescription instead of doing any tests. I later found out that I had a hernia and an ulcer."

"They took people in who came in after me, making me wait eight hours then when I did get seen they just told me to see my regular doctor. I don't have one."

Life Expectancy:

It is not only living on the streets in a cold part of the United States that shortens the expected lifespan of a homeless person - there are many other contributing factors. Depression and mental instability are relatively common consequences of the challenges of a life on the streets. Poor nutrition is also endemic. One must remember that the inadequacy of the homeless shelters across the state, and the poor treatment of the homeless in the medical condition only add to these obstacles to good health. Consequently, the life expectancy of the average homeless person is 20 per cent less than that of the average person.


The Homeless Bill of Rights:
In June 2012, Rhode Island became the first state in the United States to pass a bill definitively outlining the entitlements of the homeless to:

• Freedom of movement in all public spaces including sidewalks, parks, etc.
• Reasonable expectation of privacy with respect to personal belongings.
• The right to vote and to register to vote regardless of housing status.
• The right not to face discrimination while seeking or maintaining employment due to his or her lack of permanent mailing address.
• Adequate government identification documents.
• The right to equal status and equal treatment under government agencies.
• Emergency free medical care.
• Protection from disclosure of his or her records and information provided to homeless shelters and state service providers.

However, this Bill of Rights exists only in theory, and inequality and discrimination, from what one encounters reading this very web page, remains rampant. RIMAP advocates for the execution of more of these rights - particularly that of free emergency healthcare. 

If you are interested in reading more on the Homeless Bill of Rights, here are some news articles on the issue:
Businessweek: RI homeless bill of rights praised as US model
Reuters: Rhode Island passes bill to guarantee rights of homeless people

Providence Journal Video: A Day in the Life of the Homeless
In June 2012, the Providence Journal released an insightful video which offers a perspective of the life of the homeless in Rhode Island. It also features Providence College professor Dr. Eric Hirsch and a detailed analysis of the plight of the homeless through personal testimony, and an insider view of life at Rhode Island's primary shelter, Harrington Hall and the importance of affordable housing for the community.