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Dear Housing Voters,


THANK YOU FOR VOTING!


During this midterm election, candidates running for local, state, and federal offices spoke with voters like you all across Rhode Island. You shared your story to help them understand how housing issues affect your life and community. At public forums, debates, and community events, you asked important questions about housing. You asked candidates to share their own experiences, values, ideas and priorities if they got elected. 


In these conversations, the message was clear – affordable homes are out of reach for far too many of us, and Rhode Island needs a pro-housing agenda that addresses both the immediate impact as well as the systemic roots of the ongoing housing crisis. Housing must be a top priority for every elected official – from city council, to the State House, from the Governor’s office, to the U.S. Congress. 


The arc of history is long -- know that change is possible and that the future we dream of is within reach. You are part of a movement, beyond any single moment or election and we look forward to working with pro-housing advocates like you and elected officials to continue making progress toward providing all Rhode Islanders with safe, affordable, healthy homes.


With gratitude,

Homes RI

Beyond the ballot box.

Election Day was just the beginning – but what comes next? In a democracy, it is our responsibility to hold elected officials accountable. Now it’s up to pro-housing advocates like you to ensure our elected officials remain responsive to community concerns, and committed to prioritizing solutions that will address the lack of available and affordable homes for all. We will do this by building relationships, sharing our stories and expertise to inform good policy, organizing friends and neighbors to join us, and advocating at every level of government for the pro-housing policies and investments needed for our communities to thrive. 


The Rhode Island legislative session begins in January, so pro-housing advocates like you need to be ready. Engage friends and neighbors to help build power for more affordable housing. Stay connected, get informed, and prepare for action! Take a moment to look over our housing policy recommendations for guidance on strategies to address Rhode Island's housing crisis to help shape your conversations with the elected officials representing your community.

Housing Policy Guide

To address the housing crisis and ensure every Rhode Islander has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home requires more than a moment – it requires a movement. When we vote for pro-housing candidates, we send the message that housing is an important issue and action must be taken. After Election Day, we must continue to build relationships with returning and newly elected officials at every level of government – local, state, and federal.


Opportunity starts at home, and all Rhode Islanders are affected when our neighbors do not have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. Sign onto our Neighbors for Neighbors campaign to stay engaged, keep informed, and be ready for action! We only win when we show up.

Stay engaged!

Why your vote matters.

Your vote helps make history.


Your vote is your voice and your voice matters. Below are some examples of what we accomplish when we show up to the ballot box.

Democratic Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos secured a full four-year term. Matos, a former Providence City Council president who was appointed lieutenant governor 20 months ago when Dan McKee became governor, will be the first Dominican-American to win statewide office in Rhode Island, and has made affordable housing one of her top priorities since she was sworn in.

Democrat Victoria Gu, the newly elected State Senator of District 38, became one of Rhode Island’s first Asian American state legislators by winning a four-way race for the seat that Senator Dennis L. Algiere, a Westerly Republican, is vacating after 30 years in the Senate.

Democratic candidate for House Representative of District 39, Megan L. Cotter led Representative Justin K. Price, a Richmond Republican, by just four votes. Vote tallies show Cotter defeating Price, 2,989-2,985, but figures still do not include the mail ballots that could potentially impact Cotter's apparent victory. Price is expected to request a recount.

Click here to see additional results in some key R.I. General Assembly races.

Election turn out among eligible voters in Rhode Island compared to recent elections:

For more voter turnout information, click here.

Election week is at its end and we hope you find some well deserved rest. Take this time to celebrate your hard work engaging family and friends, and giving your time and energy to the act of changing our world for the better. Celebrate each other -- so many people have organized to bring us where we are today and as we look back on the progress we have made, we look toward the future for more.


As election results are finalized and certified, we are looking forward to taking our advocacy beyond the ballot box and into the rooms where it happens. Our voices belong where decisions are being made and together we can be heard.



Thank you for tuning in to our #VOTEREADY updates and being a #HousingVoter this election season.



#OurHomesOurVotes

Homes RI is a collaborative effort of local nonprofits, housing organizations, and
community stakeholders, created to shine a spotlight on the need for increased
investments in community development and affordable homes across Rhode Island.

Homes RI is coordinated by the Housing Network of Rhode Island.

For questions about Homes RI, contact Katie West.
Homes RI | www.homesri.org | info@homesri.org
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