JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $850,000 FOR NEW BRIDGES FOR HAITIAN SUCCESS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by David Morales

Provides NBHS $850,000 to acquire transitional housing for TPS and asylum-seeking immigrants in Rhode Island for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

05/19/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Summary of HR 8534 (2026) – Joint Resolution: Making an Appropriation of $850,000 for New Bridges for Haitian Success

Purpose and intent

The bill proposes an appropriation of $850,000 for the nonprofit New Bridges for Haitian Success (NBHS) to support transitional housing for immigrants in Rhode Island.

The focus is to assist immigrants with temporary protected status (TPS) and asylum status by enabling residential property acquisition for transitional housing.

NBHS is described as a Rhode Island-based 501(c)(3) organization established in 2013 to support Haitians adjusting to life in Rhode Island, including immigration navigation, access to essential services, and language transition support.

Key provisions and changes

Appropriation amount: $850,000 (to be drawn from funds in the Rhode Island treasury that are not otherwise appropriated).

Authorized use: Purchase or acquisition of residential properties to provide transitional housing for NBHS clients who hold TPS or asylum status.

Duration: The appropriation covers the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

Administration: The State Controller is empowered to issue payments to NBHS upon submission of properly authenticated vouchers, with payments drawn from the General Treasury through the State Treasurer as needed.

Who or what would be affected

NBHS would receive the $850,000 grant to acquire residential properties for transitional housing.

Immigrant populations in Rhode Island, specifically those with TPS or asylum status who qualify for NBHS services, could benefit from enhanced housing stability during their transition.

State fiscal resources would be allocated from the treasury to NBHS, impacting state budget resources for the specified fiscal year.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: May 8, 2026.

Referred to: House Finance committee for consideration.

Effective period: The appropriation is earmarked for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

Implementation mechanism: The State Controller to draw payments to NBHS as vouchers are authenticated.

Additional notes

The resolution frames NBHS’s work as complementing immigrant assistance by facilitating access to housing, which aligns with broader needs related to TPS and asylum-seeking populations.

No other budgetary offsets or statutory changes are described; the measure specifically creates a one-year appropriation for NBHS’s transitional housing initiative.