2026 -- H 7324

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $500,000 TO SOJOURNER HOUSE IN RHODE

ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Casey, J. Brien, Phillips, Ajello, Shallcross Smith,
Corvese, Cruz, J. Lombardi, Potter, and Diaz

     Date Introduced: January 23, 2026

     Referred To: House Finance

     WHEREAS, Domestic abuse and sexual violence are public health issues of epidemic

proportions in Rhode Island and throughout the United States, affecting approximately one in

four women and one in seven men, with rates even higher among the LGBTQ+ population,

underrepresented racial and ethnic populations, and people with disabilities; and

     WHEREAS, The absence of safe, secure, affordable housing is one of the largest barriers

for individuals who are experiencing abuse to flee from domestic and sexual violence where

nearly all also face economic abuse; and

     WHEREAS, Half of all women who are homeless report being homeless as a direct result

of domestic violence and nearly all homeless women face sexual and/or physical violence; and

     WHEREAS, The development of affordable housing in Rhode Island continues to lag

behind the need for such resources; and

     WHEREAS, The development of programs that provide safe, affordable, confidential

housing to victims of abuse while joined with supportive services are still scarce, even at the

national level; and

     WHEREAS, The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development has

attempted to decrease funding for supportive housing and impose more stringent qualifications

for those seeking housing support; and

     WHEREAS, The revisions and suspension of funds previously allocated to supportive

housing could leave more than 1,000 Rhode Islanders currently in supportive housing at risk of

homelessness and more vulnerable due to pushes for economically unsustainable housing

programs; and

     WHEREAS, Sojourner House in Rhode Island has developed a robust permanent

supportive housing program that provides critical, life-saving interventions to families who have

experienced abuse, and provides them with the support to rebuild their lives, including over 150

units that are available in 33 cities and towns statewide; and

     WHEREAS, Sojourner House seeks a partnership with the State of Rhode Island to

secure matching funds for federal grants, ensuring continued support for permanent housing for

abuse victims in Rhode Island; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not

otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2026-2027, the sum of five hundred thousand dollars

($500,000) to support Sojourner House’s permanent supportive housing development program

including, but not limited to, the acquisition and rehabilitation of residential buildings that will

provide safe, secure housing to individuals and families who are fleeing from dangerous

situations to rebuild their lives; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw

his orders upon the general treasurer for payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be from

time to time be required, upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

J O I N T   R E S O L U T I O N

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $500,000 TO SOJOURNER HOUSE IN RHODE

ISLAND

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     This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $500,000 to Sojourner

House to support its permanent housing development program that provides safe, secure housing

to individuals and families fleeing from dangerous situations.

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