As it plans to close Cranston Street Armory warming center, R.I. looks to build shelter capacity elsewhere

As Rhode Island sets its sights on shuttering its Cranston Street Armory warming center, it is concurrently devising a plan to enhance shelter capacity in other parts of the state.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced its intention to close the Cranston Street Armory, which is used as an overnight warming center during the coldest months of the year. As the facility is slated to cease operations, the DHS is looking to augment the amount of shelter beds in other areas to counteract the closure.

The Cranston Street Armory, which was established in 2015, is the only dedicated warming center in the state. It is used to house individuals and families during the winter months when temperatures dip below freezing. The Department of Human Services has said that the closure of the facility is a result of a decrease in demand for beds due to improved housing security across the state.

The closure of the Cranston Street center has been met with criticism from some quarters, with opponents of the move arguing that the facility provided individuals with a safe and comfortable environment during the coldest winter months.

The DHS has responded to this criticism by asserting that the closure of the center will not have a significant impact on the amount of shelter space available in the state. In a statement, the Department of Human Services noted that in the wake of the closure, it would be making efforts to bolster shelter space in other parts of Rhode Island.

The Department of Human Services has stated that it is committed to ensuring that individuals who need access to shelter have it available to them. It has also said that it would be working with community partners to make sure that individuals who are in need of shelter are able to access it.

As Rhode Island looks to shutter its Cranston Street Armory warming center, it is also in the process of working to increase shelter capacity in other parts of the state. The Department of Human Services has said that it is committed to ensuring that individuals who are in need of shelter are able to access it, and that it would be collaborating with community partners to make sure that individuals who require a place to stay can find one.