2025 -- H 5323
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LC001176
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
____________
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, Ajello, J. Brien, Kislak, Phillips, Cruz, Potter, J.
Lombardi, Shallcross Smith, and Corvese
Date Introduced: February 05, 2025
Referred To: House Finance
WHEREAS, Domestic abuse and sexual violence are public health issues of epidemic 1
proportions in Rhode Island and throughout the United States, affecting approximately one in 2
four women and one in seven men, with rates comparable or even higher among the LGBTQ+ 3
population; and 4
WHEREAS, The absence of safe, secure, affordable housing is one of the largest barriers 5
for individuals who are experiencing abuse to flee from a dangerous situation; and 6
WHEREAS, The development of affordable housing in Rhode Island continues to lag 7
behind the need for such resources; and 8
WHEREAS, The development of programs that provide safe, affordable, confidential 9
housing to victims of abuse while joined with supportive services are still scarce, even at the 10
national level; and 11
WHEREAS, Sojourner House in Rhode Island has developed a robust permanent 12
supportive housing program that provides critical, life-saving interventions to families who have 13
experienced abuse, and provides them with the support to rebuild their lives, including over 150 14
units that are available in 33 cities and towns statewide; and 15
WHEREAS, Sojourner House serves almost 2,000 unduplicated clients a year throughout 16
their programs, but the demand for services far exceeds their ability to meet the need; and 17
WHEREAS, Sojourner House brings in approximately $10,000,000 in federal grants to 18
support its work and these grants require local matching funds; and 19
LC001176 - Page 2 of 3
WHERAS, Sojourner House seeks a partnership with the State of Rhode Island to secure 1
matching funds for federal grants, ensuring continued support for permanent housing for abuse 2
victims in Rhode Island; now, therefore be it 3
RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not 4
otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2025-2026, the sum of five hundred thousand dollars 5
($500,000) to support Sojourner House’s permanent supportive housing development program, 6
including, but not limited to, the acquisition and rehabilitation of residential buildings that will 7
provide safe, secure housing to individuals and families who are fleeing from dangerous 8
situations to rebuild their lives; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw 9
his orders upon the general treasurer for payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be from 10
time to time be required, upon receipt of properly authenticated vouchers. 11
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LC001176
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LC001176 - Page 3 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
MAKING AN APPROPRIAT ION 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 1
House to support its permanent housing development program that provides safe, secure housing 2
to individuals and families fleeing from dangerous situations. 3
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LC001176
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