Homeowner Assistance Fund Rhode Island closing to new applications after helping more than 1,700 homeowners

HAF-Logo-Digital

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Providence, RI – Today, after successfully helping more than 1,700 Rhode Islanders stay in their homes, RIHousing announced its Homeowner Assistance Fund Rhode Island (HAF-RI) program is closing to new applications.

“We’re proud to have helped many homeowners across Rhode Island keep their homes in the wake of the pandemic,” said Carol Ventura, Executive Director of RIHousing. “While our HAF-RI program is now closed to new applications, RIHousing remains committed to helping homeowners in need through other existing resources, like our HelpCenter, which provides free counseling to Rhode Islanders facing foreclosure.”

Launched on January 10, 2022, HAF-RI provided much-needed financial assistance to eligible Rhode Island homeowners who struggled to pay their mortgage and/or other housing-related expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded via the federal Homeowner Assistance Fund that was approved as part of the American Rescue Plan Act in spring 2021, Rhode Island received $50 million in program funds. Administered by RIHousing, HAF-RI helped prevent mortgage delinquencies and defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities and home energy services, and displacement of homeowners.

While this program is closing, Rhode Island homeowners who are currently struggling to make their mortgage payments and/or facing foreclosure have several assistance options available:

  • Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor such as the RIHousing HelpCenter. Dedicated housing counselors work with homeowners and their lenders to review and identify available options to avoid foreclosure. Options may include loan modifications, work-out agreements, repayment plans and/or referral to RI Legal Services. A list of HUD-approved counseling agencies is available online at HUD’s website. The RIHousing HelpCenter can be reached via the agency’s website at www.rihousing.com/homeowner-assistance or 401-457-1130.
  • Directly contact their loan servicer about opportunities to restructure their mortgage.
  • Contact a local Community Action Agency (CAP) about available utility assistance programs. A list of Rhode Island CAP agencies is available at: ricommunityaction.org.


About RIHousing
RIHousing works to ensure that all people who live in Rhode Island can afford a healthy, attractive home that meets their needs. RIHousing provides loans, grants, education and assistance to help Rhode Islanders find, rent, buy, build and keep a good home. Created by the General Assembly in 1973, RIHousing is a self-sustaining corporation and receives no state funding for operations. For more information regarding RIHousing, visit RIHousing.com or follow us @RIHousing on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

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Rhode Island Housing Subsidiary Corporations and Affiliates

Rhode Island Housing Subsidiary Corporations

  • Rhode Island Housing Development Corporation (occasionally LLCs are established with the Development Corporation as sole general partner on multifamily properties that RIHousing has taken over.)
  • Rhode Island Housing Equity Corporation
  • Rhode Island Housing Equity Pool II, L.P.
  • Rhode Island Housing Equity Pool, L.P.
  • University Heights Housing Corporation

Rhode Island Housing Affiliates

  • Affordable Housing Trust

These are not RIHousing entities, but we have a general partner capacity in each:

  • Ashley Estates Limited Partnership – RIH Equity Corp. is general partner
  • Erik Estates Limited Partnership – RIH Equity Corp. is general partner
  • Mohican Limited Partnership – RIHDC is general partner
  • Phebe Street Associates, L.P. – RIHDC is general partner
  • University Heights Apartments, L.P. – University Heights Housing is general partner

Mission Statement

RIHousing strives to ensure that all people who live or work in Rhode Island can afford a healthy, attractive home that meets their needs. A good home provides the foundation upon which individuals and families thrive, children learn and grow, and communities prosper.

To achieve our mission we:

  • Offer fair, affordable and innovative lending programs.
  • Provide housing related education to consumers and others.
  • Promote and finance sensible development that builds healthy, vibrant communities.
  • Provide housing grants and subsidies to Rhode Islanders with the greatest need.
  • Team up with partners to improve everything we do

RIHousing uses all of its resources to provide low-interest loans, grants, education and assistance to help Rhode Islanders find, rent, buy, build and keep a good home. Created by the General Assembly in 1973, RIHousing is a privately funded public purpose corporation.

Healthy Housing, Healthy Communities (H3C) Initiative

RIHousing Healthy Housing, Healthy Communities (H3C) Plan
Rhode Island Health and Housing Tool Kit
Rhode Island Health and Housing Took Kit – Appendix A-K

Are you a Newport resident?

Check whether your current residence is located within an eligible census tract.

Newport-Census-Map

Only residents of census tract 405 are eligible for the FirstGenHomeRI pilot program.

The map on the left shows the approximated eligible region.

Unsure if your address is part of the eligible region?

Type in your address below to find out (Include street #, street name, Newport, RI).

Data mapped by PolicyMap, an online GIS mapping tool.

Do you live in Central Falls, Pawtucket, Newport or East Providence?

Check whether your current residence is located within an eligible census tract for application prioritization.

Applications from residents who live in the census tract listed below are prioritized.

Central Falls 44007010900, 44007010800, 44007011100, 44007011000
Pawtucket 44007016000, 44007015300, 44007015100, 44007015200, 44007015500, 44007016600, 44007016700, 44007017000, 44007017100, 44007016100, 44007016400
Newport 44005040500, 44005041100
East Providence 44007010100, 44007010501

Type in your address below to learn if you are in the targeted area. (Include street #, street name, city, RI).