WPRI Talks About HUD's Annual Homelessness Assessment Report with Michelle M. Wilcox

In a recent interview with WPRI 12, Michelle M. Wilcox, President & CEO of Crossroads, discussed the findings of the 2024 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Annual Homelessness Assessment Report and its implications for the state.

Rhode Island has seen an increase in families experiencing homelessness, which Wilcox attributes to the end of COVID-era funding and the state’s housing shortage.

"When folks no longer had those supports, they found themselves entering homelessness for the first time," Wilcox shared, emphasizing the challenges faced by individuals and families adjusting to a post-pandemic reality.

Crossroads is addressing this challenge with significant housing initiatives, including the construction of 176 permanently affordable apartments at the Summer Street Apartments, set for completion in September 2025.

Wilcox emphasized the urgency of investing in affordable housing: “Every day that goes by, the problem is potentially getting worse. We’re going to see the numbers start to trend down ... but that is only going to happen when we’ve increased the supply of housing.”