Proclaiming the Month of April, 2026, to Be "Community Development Month" in the State of Rhode Island

WHEREAS, The Housing Network of Rhode Island (HNRI) will celebrate the impact of Rhode Island's Community Development Corporations and nonprofit developers throughout Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, HNRI members are a vital part of Rhode Island's housing development sector and are at the forefront of efforts to expand equitable housing and economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income Rhode Islanders; and

WHEREAS, In addition to producing safe and affordable homes from Westerly to Woonsocket, HNRI's members are actively engaged within the communities they serve. They maintain and support community-centered childcare facilities and commercial spaces, community gardens and start-up food enterprises; provide job training opportunities, homebuyer education and foreclosure counseling, landlord education and home repair funds; and offer personal small business micro-loans or grants; and

WHEREAS, Community Development Month is an opportunity to celebrate these organizations and the transformational work they do to make Rhode Island a better place; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims the Month of April, 2026, to be "Community Development Month" in the State of Rhode Island. This House recognizes and thanks these organizations for their tremendous contributions to the viability of the housing stock, infrastructure, public services, and the economic well-being of the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Ms. Melina Lodge, Executive Director of The Housing Network of Rhode Island.