Housing Help RI

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Last Updated: November 5, 2020

This program is now closed. Please see Safe Harbor for assistance.

Click here to access the Safe Harbor Program

 

Housing Help RI is a statewide initiative to assist Rhode Islanders who are experiencing housing insecurity. The program provides emergency housing assistance to low-income renters who have been impacted by the COVID-19 emergency and are at immediate risk of homelessness.

 

Household Eligibility

To qualify for assistance through Housing Help RI, households must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Reside in Rhode Island for at least one year;
  • Demonstrate a loss of income due to the COVID-19 emergency;
  • Earn at or below 80% of Area Median Income, based upon geographic area and family size, prior to the recent loss of income; and
  • Lack alternate resources to avoid housing instability and homelessness.

A household must demonstrate the financial capacity to sustain housing following the award of program funds. Only one adult individual residing in a household may apply for assistance on behalf of the household.

 

Eligible Uses

Households may receive a grant of up to $5,000 to use for any combination of the following eligible housing expenditures:

  • Past due rent payments;
  • Late fees on a rental account;
  • Rental assistance for the month ahead; or
  • Moving costs associated with relocation.

Payment will be made directly to third-party entities such as a landlord, property manager, or moving company.

How to Apply:

Interested residents should fill out the online screening tool below to confirm their eligibility and start the application process. 

If program funds are exhausted, eligible applicants will be added to a wait list and notified when additional funds becomes available.

Note: Housing Help RI has temporarily closed to new applications while we catch up with existing requests. Please check back later to see if applications have re-opened.