Legislative Solutions to End Homelessness

Ensure All Rhode Islanders Have a Place to Call Home:
Dedicated Funding for Affordable Housing

Stable, consistent funding is a key component missing in our work to end homelessness in Rhode Island. Each year, affordable housing funding is cut from the state budget, yet the need for affordable housing continues to grow.  We need a permanent funding stream to address this growing problem.  

A predictable funding source will allow more strategic and efficient development of affordable housing.  Housing development is almost always a multi-year process, therefore developers need reliable funding to make these projects successful.  Affordable housing development is being hindered because future funding is unpredictable.  

Rhode Island is one of only nine states with no dedicated funding stream for affordable housing.  It is time Rhode Island made a commitment to ensuring this basic need to its residents.
 
Legislation for dedicated funding has been introduced by Senator Tassoni (S2203) and Representative Slater  (H7265). These identical bills call for $12.5 million in funding for the Neighborhood Opportunities Program in FY2013. The bills also call for a housing bond for $75 million.

Prevent Discrimination: Homeless Bill of Rights

The intent of this bill is to ensure Rhode Islanders who experience homelessness are granted the same rights, privileges, and access to public services as any other citizen.  These rights include, but are not limited to, the right to use public spaces, the right to vote, and the right to equal treatment by police, employers, and medical professionals. Bills have been introduced in the Senate (S2052) and the House (H7173).

Stabilize Neighborhoods, Prevent Homelessness:
Just Cause Bill

Foreclosure rates remain devastatingly high in Rhode Island, displacing not only the homeowners foreclosed on, but also the families who rent apartments in foreclosed properties. A growing number of families cite foreclosure as the reason for their homelessness. The intent of this legislation is to allow tenants and former homeowners to continue to pay rent to stay in their homes.

Senate Bill 2212 and House Bill 7136 will prohibit banks from evicting tenants and former homeowners from foreclosed properties unless they fail to pay rent, harm the property, or otherwise give "just cause" for eviction.  The legislation affords former homeowners a "right to rent" their home from the foreclosing lender.

A similar bill was recently passed in Massachusetts.