Rhode Island General Laws Title 42. State Affairs and Government § 42-167.1-3. Duties and responsibilities of council

(1) Advise on and participate in the process led by the executive office of housing pursuant to § 42-167-1 to develop a strategic plan to end homelessness that will serve to reduce the number of homeless individuals and families in Rhode Island;

(2) Coordinate services for the homeless among state agencies and instrumentalities, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, volunteer organizations, advocacy groups, and businesses;

(3) Coordinate services not specifically for the homeless, but from which the homeless may benefit, among state agencies and instrumentalities, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, volunteer organizations, advocacy groups, and businesses;

(4) Identify and seek to remedy gaps in services, specifically in the area of making provisions for the availability, use, and permanent funding stream for permanent supportive housing;

(5) Identify gaps in services that contribute to the occurrence and persistence of homelessness, with the aim of addressing such gaps in a timely and effective manner;

(6) Work to reduce the inflow of individuals and families into the homeless emergency response system through proactive, preventative measures;

(7) Align policies and programs across governmental agencies to maximize available resources, remove barriers to accessing supports, and improve the effectiveness of homelessness prevention and response systems;  and

(8) Provide recommendations for addressing the unique needs of homeless individuals during emergency situations, including but not limited to, extreme winter weather, pandemics, or natural disasters, ensuring timely and appropriate responses to such events.