"A Report On Women And Homelessness" A Call To Action By Crossroads Rhode Island Released Today

Online, March 1, 2011 (Newswire.com) - ) "We are seeing the pace of homelessness in RI growing at an alarming rate. In a ten year period, the total number of unaccompanied men rose by 5% while the total number of unaccompanied women rose by 65%," said Anne Nolan, President of Crossroads Rhode Island. Today, Crossroads, the largest provider of services to Rhode Islanders who are homeless, presented a 10-page report on Women and Homelessness at an "Afternoon Tea" at the RI State House.

The event was led by four of Rhode Island's political leaders and marks the month of March as Women Helping Women Month. The speakers included:

• Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts;
• Rhode Island General Treasurer Gina M. Raimondo;
• Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed; and
• Representative Elaine A. Coderre, Speaker Pro Tempore

The Crossroads Women's Shelter, has a 41-person capacity, but today serves an average of 60 women per night, the majority being newly homeless, many affected by the economic downturn. In response to the dramatic increase in numbers and a steadily increasing trend, the report was undertaken to provide the state's leadership, the public and the media with specific information about the numbers of homeless women in RI.

"The numbers are rising. This report tells us more about who our homeless women are, what parts of Rhode Island they are coming from, and what we can do to begin to address their unique needs," says General Treasurer Gina Raimondo, Vice Chair of Crossroads Rhode Island Board of Directors. "We see this as a true crisis."

"Although women have emerged as a growing, seriously underserved and undefined sub-population of "the homeless," little thought has been given to providing shelter beds for them, and very few resources have been directed to establishing female-centered shelters that focus on the special needs of women," Adds Nolan. "We are thankful to see our women leadership embracing this critical issue. It is only with their support and strength, and the commitment of us all that we can address this alarming trend. It is of great importance to all of Rhode Island."

Some of the highlights of the report are:
• Women are the fastest growing group of people facing homelessness.
• While homeless women come from all communities in the state, the majority are from Providence, Pawtucket, Cranston, Woonsocket, and Warwick.
• There has been a 300% increase in homelessness due to foreclosure, and a 32% increase due to job or income loss.
• Of the 43.6 million Americans currently living in poverty 55% are women.
• The report calls for more gender specific data to be collected; more intensive case management and more feminine centered support services, among other needs.

Crossroads Rhode Island assists homeless and disconnected Rhode Islanders on their journey toward a better quality of life by providing a continuum of care that includes basic emergency needs, shelter, housing, case management and vocational services for individuals and families.

Throughout the month of March, Crossroads will be actively getting the word out about the recent figures, and holding statewide events to create awareness, culminating with the fourth annual Women Helping Women Event on March 31, 5:30 p.m. at Cafe Nuovo.

To download the report, visit: http://www.crossroadsri.org/tabid/164/smid/605/ArticleID/18/default.aspx

For more information: www.crossroadsri.org or 401.277.4328
http://www.facebook.com/CrossroadsRhodeIsland