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S 2848Funding & Budget

Making an Appropriation of $500,000 to Sojourner House in Rhode Island

Appropriates $500,000 to Sojourner House to fund permanent supportive housing for victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Held for study
Population
Affected
8
Email Legislator
Introduced Mar 4, 2026Committee Senate Finance

Plain-English Summary

This joint resolution authorizes an appropriation of $500,000 from the Rhode Island general treasury to Sojourner House for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funds are designated to support the organization's permanent supportive housing development program, which assists individuals and families fleeing domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Specifically, the appropriation will be used for the acquisition and rehabilitation of residential buildings to provide safe, secure, and affordable housing. The resolution highlights that domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness, particularly for women, and notes the scarcity of affordable housing and supportive services for victims.

Additionally, the bill notes that Sojourner House intends to use these state funds to secure matching federal grants. This partnership aims to ensure continued support for permanent housing for abuse victims in Rhode Island, mitigating the impact of potential decreases in federal supportive housing funds.

For younger readers

This bill gives $500,000 to a group called Sojourner House. They will use the money to buy and fix up homes for families and people who are running away from dangerous and abusive situations. This helps keep them safe and gives them a place to live.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
Victims of domestic abuseVictims of sexual violenceHomeless individualsSojourner House staff and clients

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

Low. The legislature has the clear constitutional authority to appropriate funds from the general treasury for public purposes.

Estimated cost
$500,000
Estimated revenue
Not specified

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Provides direct funding to support victims of domestic and sexual violence.
  • Addresses homelessness by expanding affordable, permanent supportive housing.
  • Specifically acknowledges and supports vulnerable populations, including LGBTQ+ individuals and racial minorities.
  • Leverages state funds to secure matching federal grants, maximizing the impact of the investment.
  • $500,000 may not be enough to meet the statewide demand for affordable housing for abuse victims.
  • Relies on a non-profit organization rather than creating a permanent, guaranteed state-run public housing program.
  • A one-time appropriation does not guarantee long-term sustainable funding for these services.
For Conservatives
  • Partners with an established non-profit organization rather than expanding government bureaucracy.
  • Uses state funds efficiently by unlocking matching federal grants.
  • Helps victims of crime rebuild their lives and achieve economic independence.
  • Increases state spending by $500,000.
  • Directs taxpayer money to a specific private non-profit entity rather than distributing funds through a competitive bidding process.
  • Mentions identity politics (LGBTQ+, racial populations) in the legislative text, which some conservatives might view as unnecessary for a housing bill.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

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 1,0 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. EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF JOINTRESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $500,0 TO SOJOURNER HOUSE IN RHODE ISLAND *** 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.