WHEREAS, Rhode Island continues to experience an acute shortage of safe, decent and affordable housing for low and moderate income households; and

WHEREAS, Only 8.7% of the total housing units in Rhode Island are subsidized by the federal or state government; and

WHEREAS, Most subsidized housing in Rhode Island is funded by the federal government; and

WHEREAS, Residents of federally subsidized housing now pay 30% of their income for rent, pursuant to the "Brooke Amendment"; and

WHEREAS, The success of federally subsidized housing programs requires that rental payments by low income households be tied to household income; and

WHEREAS, The repeal of the "Brooke Amendment," or any legislation to limit its application, will pose great financial hardship to the low income and elderly households that receive federal housing assistance; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby opposes the repeal of the "Brooke Amendment", or any legislation to limit its application; and urges the Rhode Island congressional delegation to vote against any legislation that includes the repeal of the "Brooke Amendment", or the limitation of its application; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island congressional delegation.