Economic Justice

This letter was sent to the Providence City Plan Commission regarding a proposed ordinance that would significantly limit the ability of college and university students to live together in Providence.

“No person’s rights, privileges, or access to public services may be denied or abridged solely because he or she is homeless. Such a person shall be granted the same rights and privileges as any other resident of this state.”

Court Blocks Latest Unlawful Homelessness Funding Announcement

Trump-Vance Administration’s Unlawful Criteria Would Have Pushed an Estimated 170,000 Americans into Homelessness

This is the second case filed by a broad coalition of local governments and nonprofit organizations across the country — including Rhode Island-based nonprofits Crossroads Rhode Island and Youth Pride, Inc. — seeking to stop the Trump-Vance administration from creating unlawful and unreasonable restrictions for funding for proven solutions to homelessness, threatening to push hundreds of thousands of families onto the street as cold winter months arrive. This case was filed regarding the 2026 fiscal year notice of funding opportunities (NOFO). See NAEH v. HUD (case number: 1:25-cv-00636) for information about the other case challenging HUD's NOFOs.

This case was filed in 2025 by a broad coalition of local governments and nonprofit organizations across the country — including Rhode Island-based nonprofits Crossroads Rhode Island and Youth Pride, Inc. — seeking to stop the Trump-Vance administration from creating unlawful and unreasonable restrictions for funding for proven solutions to homelessness, threatening to push hundreds of thousands of families onto the street as cold winter months arrive. This case challenged the 2025 notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) restrictions. Find information about a similar case challenging HUD's 2026 NOFO here: NAEH v. HUD (case number: 1:26-cv-00436)

This "friend of the court" brief was submitted to challenge the RI Attorney General's position that state officials are immune from ever being sued in federal court under one of RI’s key anti-discrimination civil rights statutes.

This case suit challenges new funding restrictions on federal housing grants. Under the new funding application rules, service providers and communities are blocked from applying for federal housing funds for new permanent supportive housing for individuals and families experiencing homelessness if they operate in jurisdictions with policies the Trump-Vance administration disfavors. This includes cities and states, like Rhode Island, that the Trump Administration deems to be “sanctuary protections” for immigrants; that provide services considered “harm reduction” services for drug users; and that have inclusive policies for transgender people.