DEVELOPER’S HANDBOOK
The Developer’s Handbook is the guide to submitting a request for financing the construction, acquisition or restoration of apartments to help ensure that all Rhode Islanders can afford a safe, healthy home. Priority will be given to proposals that revitalize neighborhoods with aging housing stock, serve families or build apartments in areas where affordable rental homes are hard to find. Proposals must serve households earning no more than 60 percent of area median family income.
Use the links below to view individual sections of the Developers Handbook. The complete Developers Handbook can be downloaded using this link.
The 2026 Developers Handbook—Updates shows changes made to the Developers Handbook.
Introduction & Table of Contents (PDF)
Section 2: Funding Process (PDF)
Section 3: Underwriting Guidelines and Development Standards (PDF)
- Underwriting Guidelines and Development Standards
- Standards Compliance Checklist (Excel)
- Accessibility Resource Manual
- Build America Buy America (BABA) Implementation Plan
Section 4: Management And Insurance Guidelines (PDF)
Section 5: Preservation Program (PDF)
Section 6: Application and Certifications (PDF)
- LIHTC Application Checklist (PDF)
- LIHTC Certifications – Certification & Authorization (PDF)
- LIHTC Application Self Scoring Sheet (Excel)
Section 7: 2026 Qualified Allocation Plan (PDF)
Section 8: Low Income Housing Tax Credit Compliance Manual (PDF)
Section 9: Program Bulletins (PDF)
Section 10: Statistical Data and Forms (PDF)
- Average Income Test Policy (PDF)
- Bridge Loan Term Sheet (PDF)
- Conduit Finance (PDF)
- HOME Program Guidelines (PDF)
- Housing 2030 Acquisition & Revitalization (PDF)
- Housing 2030 Affordable Rental Housing New Development (PDF)
- Housing 2030 Permanent Supportive Housing (PDF)
- Housing 2030 Preservation (PDF)
- Housing 2030 Small Scale Rental (PDF)
- Housing Production Fund (PDF)
- Housing Trust Fund (PDF)
- Hybrid LIHTC Financing Requirements (PDF)
- Mixed-Income Transactions (PDF)
- Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing Program (PDF)
- RIHousing Preservation Loan Fund Term Sheet (PDF)
- Risk Share Guidelines (PDF)
- Taxable Refinance Loan Program (PDF)
- Tax Exempt Bond Requirements (PDF)
- Turnkey Affordable Homeownership (PDF)
Section 13: Cost Certification
- Cost Certification Template (Word)
- Proforma Pages – Development Costs Template (Excel)
- Exhibit A – Allocation Type Template (Excel)
- Exhibit B – Unit Distribution Template (Excel)
Appendix
CONTACT
Melanie Brewer
401-457-1269
mbrewer@rihousing.com
