On October 10, the Summer Street Apartments, a new five-story, 176-unit permanent supportive housing development for formerly homeless Rhode Island residents, officially opened at 94 Summer St. in Providence.
Operated by Crossroads Rhode Island, a nonprofit organization that coordinates housing and homelessness services throughout the state, each unit in the complex is a fully furnished, one-bedroom apartment featuring a kitchen and private bathroom. Residents began moving in on Monday.
“The Summer Street Apartments will literally be life changing for the nearly 200 men and women who will soon call them home, providing safety, stability and community to people who have struggled with housing insecurity for years,” said Michelle Wilcox, president and CEO of Crossroads Rhode Island, in a news release.
The first wave of residents includes individuals who previously lived at Crossroads’ Travelers Aid Housing located at 160 Broad Street. Built originally in 1915 as a YMCA, the Broad Street complex consists of small rooms with shared bathrooms and outdated facilities that are now “in dire need of repair,” according to Crossroads. Renovations at the Broad Street apartments will begin once residents have fully transitioned to Summer Street.
Crossroads plans to implement a new framework for tenant eligibility and selection for future Summer Street residents to ensure accessibility and fairness.
### Addressing Rhode Island’s Housing Crisis
The Summer Street Apartments project arrives at a critical time amid Rhode Island’s ongoing housing crisis. House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi (D-Warwick) noted in the news release that, “In the last five years, the price of a home has risen more than 50%, and we simply do not have enough homes to meet the market’s demand.”
The state has set an ambitious goal of permitting 375 new permanent supportive housing units by 2030. The addition of 176 units at Summer Street marks a substantial step toward achieving this benchmark. Emily Marshall, spokesperson for the Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing, highlighted that between 2018 and 2023, the state saw an increase of only 85 PSH units.
“Models like Summer Street are critical to creating housing that meets both immediate and long-term needs,” Marshall wrote.
### Comprehensive Support Services
Beyond comfortable living spaces, residents will have access to a range of supportive services, including education and employment assistance, health and recovery resources, and case management. According to the press release, over 90% of individuals who receive both affordable housing and supportive services do not experience homelessness again.
“By combining housing with supportive services, the project gives Rhode Islanders in need the resources they need to thrive,” Marshall added.
### Project Background and Funding
Construction on the Summer Street complex began in 2023. According to Crossroads Rhode Island’s website, Summer Street was an “ideal” location due to its high-density zoning, easy access to public transportation and employment opportunities, and proximity to Crossroads’ headquarters.
The development was expected to cost approximately $85 million as of 2024, reported WPRI. The project received significant support from local, state, and federal sources, including $2 million in congressional funds secured by U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).
The City of Providence, under Mayor Brett Smiley’s administration, contributed $3.5 million through the Providence Housing Trust Fund and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants, according to Michaela Antunes, a city spokesperson.
At the state level, Governor Dan McKee’s administration secured around $18 million in investment for the project, Emily Marshall confirmed.
“We are continuing to invest significant resources in projects like Summer Street to ensure that new, high-quality units with supportive services are quickly made available to our neighbors who need them most,” Antunes said.
The opening of Summer Street Apartments marks a pivotal moment in Rhode Island’s efforts to combat homelessness and housing insecurity, providing residents not just a home but a foundation for a more stable future.
https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2025/10/new-176-unit-permanent-supportive-housing-complex-opens-in-providence
