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ECHO Village

Why more shelter?

Demand for emergency shelter for those experiencing homelessness has quadrupled since the onset of the COVID – 19 Pandemic while physical distancing requirements reduced shelter capacity by 40%. Since then, the amount of unsheltered individuals has continued to rise. Many are sleeping outside, in tents or in cars and on any given night, there are more than 3,800 unsheltered individuals. In addition, there is a percentage of those experiencing homelessness that are sometimes resistant to the congregate shelter system and interventions such as hotels & motels are costly.

Solution Proposed

ECHO Village – Emergency COVID Housing Opportunities – offers a safe and dignified shelter alternative. This large, innovative project addresses gaps within the shelter system that cannot be filled by traditional shelters or emergency hotel rooms. While ECHO Village is not the only solution to increasing bed capacity within the shelter system – it meets the immediate need in providing shelter options for those who have been failed by or refuse to use the traditional shelter system.

ECHO Village Vision

ECHO Village, a completely fenced in area will include 45 rapidly deployable units, each designated for single occupancy serving adult individuals and couples experiencing homelessness, prioritized by their unsheltered status. The unique nature of this program and House of Hope’s expertise, will make this an ideal shelter program for those with an established history of challenges to and/or high barriers in congregate or night-to-night settings. ECHO Village will be available to serve individuals statewide through the Coordinated Outreach System as well as those encountered through regular Street Outreach efforts. ECHO Village will be staffed by House of Hope employees on a 24/7 basis, providing diverse, innovative, and person-centered programming to serve individuals experiencing homelessness in Rhode Island.

See site video HERE

  • Rapidly deployable units providing a safe & cost-effective temporary shelter for those experiencing homelessness
  • Built & maintained at a fraction of the cost of traditional shelters
  • A dignified, safe & private space for individuals transitioning into permanent housing
  • Community features 45 individual free standing, one-room units, 4 free standing offices, 3 restrooms (2 regular, 1 ADA) 2 showers and 2 laundry units
  • Large central community unit to be used for meals & gatherings ·
  • Staffed 24/7 and offering onsite case management services and health related supports
  • Designed for 6-12 month stays for those that face challenges or are resistant to the congregant shelter settings
  • 70 square feet of space
  • Locking door
  • Twin XL bed frame and mattress
  • Heat & AC
  • Residential windows w/ insulated glass
  • Integrated customizable wire shelving system
  • 3 – 120V convenience plugs
  • Interior LED lighting
  • Smoke & CO2 detector
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Shelters constructed with non-organic materials reducing mold, mildew and pests
  • Located on state-owned land off Victor Street, Providence
  • Spanning less than one acre of land – within a four-acre open field
  • Close proximity to transportation, services, and amenities
  • Entire site will be securely fenced with access facilitated through Victor Street