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Dear Greetings!

Our priority bill, S2681, will be heard this week, and we need your support!

Senate Committee on Finance

Thursday May 7, 2026

Rise of the Senate (~4:30 pm)

Room 211 - Rhode Island State House

S2681 would create a state-funded rental subsidy to help extremely low-income and disabled Rhode Islanders access stable housing. Without this kind of support, many households simply cannot afford available rental units, despite ongoing investments in housing development.

We need your support to show strong backing for this critical legislation!

Take Action!

How you can help:

1. Attend the hearing in person, share your story and advocate for S-2681 during the Committee's hearing.
2. Submit written testimony to the Committee Clerk Jamie Plume at SenateFinance@rilegislature.gov. Use the testimony guides provided. Be sure to include the bill number and position in the subject of your email, PDF format is preferred.
3. Sign on to our advocate letter by adding your organization or individual name.

If you have questions about the rental subsidy bill or testifying, reach out to Katie West kwest@housingnetworkri.org or Ben Darby at darby@wdchoc.org.

Thank you to everyone who testified in House Finance!



The rental subsidy bill was heard in House Finance on Wednesday, April 29. Thank you to everyone who testified in person in support of the bill:

• Michelle Wilcox, Crossroads Rhode Island
• Lailah Williams, Brown Institute for Policy - HOME Team
• Charlie Thomas-Davison, Women's Development Corporation
• Taylor Ellis, Rhode Island Homeless Advocacy Project
• Donn King
• Colby O'Brien, Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness
• John Chiellini
• Alan Krinsky, Economic Progress Institute
• Trevor Chasse, Rhode Island Association of REALTORS



And to everyone who submitted written testimony!

Check out testimony highlights here.

Watch the full hearing below:

The Housing Network of Rhode Island (HNRI) works to increase and preserve the supply of high-quality affordable homes across Rhode Island through coalition building, increasing public support, and policy advocacy. Our vision is that all Rhode Islanders live in safe, healthy, and affordable homes in thriving communities.