PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — On Wednesday, Rhode Islanders experiencing homelessness and advocates gathered outside the State House to demand urgent action from state leaders. Dozens voiced frustration over the state’s response to the homelessness crisis, emphasizing "unacceptable delays" in opening the 45 new pallet shelters constructed in April, which remain vacant due to regulatory holdups. Protesters chanted, “McKee, McKee, emergency,” urging Gov. Dan McKee to declare a state of emergency. Signs with messages like "Everybody's got a right to live," "McKee. Remember your promise. Do your job," and "Where will we go? Where will we sleep tonight?" pleading for dignified shelter. Terri Wright, an organizer with Direct Action for Rights and Equality (DARE), argued that homelessness constitutes a state of emergency, leaving people “stripped of everyday essentials.” "Communities sit divided, and the unsheltered are left outside and voiceless," Wright said. She emphasized that housing is both a harm reduction measure and a human right, explaining that without housing, people's health and safety are constantly at risk. "Years of housing neglect and unfortunate circumstances put us here. Don't get mad at homelessness. Don't get mad at homeless people," Wright said. "Lean hard on the city and state to provide a more serene balance." Charles Bennett, who is currently experiencing homelessness, said he was released Tuesday afternoon following five days of hospitalization for pneumonia due to sleeping outside. "It's time to listen. The problem is only getting worse, and if it gets this cold, people are going to start dying," Bennett said. Homeless advocates urge city of Providence to halt encampment raids Kevin Simon, who has been the Director of Outreach and Communications for Mathewson Street United Methodist Church for over a decade, said he has noticed a significant increase in homelessness in just the last year. He said that last year, 53 people in the church community died while living outside — double the previous year’s toll. "That number should be zero," Simon told 12 News, stressing that many who sleep outside his church are forced out by law enforcement overnight. "We are trying to provide a safe space throughout the day, but at night, there is nowhere else to go," he added. "They can't be anywhere else but outside." Simon said there is a policy in place where people are supposed to receive a 30-day notice and a 48-hour eviction notice, which is not happening. "No one in the state of Rhode Island should not have a place to rest their heads at night. The weather is turning. It was below freezing last night," Simon said. "We don't need shelter and housing tomorrow. We need it right now, and we need it today." Meanwhile, McKee assured Rhode Islanders that the 70-square-foot pallet housing units will be opened before winter, once all safety issues are addressed. "The pallet shelters are going to be up and running. We'll listen to the advocates. It's their right to demonstrate, but I'd hope they'd actually recognize the work that we've been doing over the last few years," McKee said. "No one has invested more money or more resources on that issue than I have as governor." He explained that there are necessary permitting and safety checks causing delays. "We can't short-circuit the safety issues and the fire issues that are being addressed. It's not a perfect scenario and the complications delaying the opening show that it's not an easy process," McKee said. RI housing report calls for broader focus on middle-income needs Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW