R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-167.1-1

The general assembly hereby finds that there exists in this state undetermined numbers of homeless persons, many of whom suffer from chronic mental illness and disability, and that this condition exists among families and among individuals of all age groups without regard to ethnic or racial heritage or sex. The existence of this condition is declared to be detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of the homeless individuals themselves and to the state.