Crossroads works to fill needs of growing population of women experiencing homelessness

However, as time goes on, market rent continues to climb and wages remain the same, unaccompanied* women now represent a large percentage of the homeless population that Crossroads serves annually. But, as Crossroads' President & CEO Karen Santilli explains in her recent interview with Rhode Island Spotlight, funding for women experiencing homelessness isn't keeping up.

Over 10 years ago, the majority of the homeless population consisted of men, leading majority of funding for homeless aid to be designated for veterans, chronically homeless males and families.

However, as time goes on, market rent continues to climb and wages remain the same, unaccompanied* women now represent a large percentage of the homeless population that Crossroads serves annually. But, as Crossroads' President & CEO Karen Santilli explains in her recent interview with Rhode Island Spotlight, funding for women experiencing homelessness isn't keeping up.

"If you are a woman who is not part of a family, you're not a veteran and you're not chronically homeless there is almost no rental assistance or other resources available to help you get housed. So that's something we are now focusing on," said Santilli.

Among the over 3,500 inpiduals and families Crossroads serves, the support of our donors and community partners like CVS Health allowed 670 unaccompanied women to access services at Crossroads last year.

Women like Judy, who found herself homeless after bouncing back and forth between Massachusetts and Rhode Island before coming to Crossroads a year ago. In the following months, Judy was able to stay in our Women's Shelter while working with her case manager to find an apartment a few blocks away, where she resides today.

"They were there for me, and they're the best--and I still stay in touch with them," Judy shared.

Read more about how Crossroads is working to support women experiencing homelessness in the Providence Journal and the Rhode Island Spotlight!

*unaccompanied is defined as arriving to shelter without children or a partner