WARWICK, RI – We strongly condemn yesterday’s Executive Order from the Trump Administration regarding the policing of unhoused individuals and proposed actions that, if implemented, will only exacerbate the homelessness crisis.

The order is riddled with inaccurate and harmful stereotypes about people experiencing homelessness and housing instability. It ignores the root causes of homelessness– including the lack of affordable housing, systemic inequalities, lack of access to health care and stagnant wages.

Guised as a public safety solution to “restore public order,” the executive order promotes misguided threats to institutionalize the most vulnerable Americans and dehumanizes our neighbors, some of whom are families, veterans, seniors and people with disabilities.

Above all, the Executive Order fails to consider proven solutions to homelessness and housing instability – chief among them the urgent need to expand affordable housing and supportive services nationwide.

For these reasons, we unequivocally condemn this order.

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The Housing Network of Rhode Island (HNRI) is a statewide association of 20 community development corporations and affordable housing developers working to build and preserve affordable homes and revitalize communities. Their wide array of activities—including real estate development, financial asset building, housing counseling, resident empowerment, and engagement, and much more–creates tangible community change and transforms the lives of Rhode Islanders. 

Homes RI is a multi-sector coalition of organizations working together to increase the supply of safe, healthy and affordable homes throughout Rhode Island and is coordinated by the Housing Network of Rhode Island.