Our HelpCenter is dedicated to providing support and education to help more Rhode Islanders protect themselves from losing their homes and make safe, informed decisions for their futures.
Mortgage Counselors work with homeowners and their lender 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.
Our HelpCenter is a HUD-approved counseling agency that provides counseling services to all RI homeowners struggling to make their mortgage payments. Counselors will assess your current situation and provide advice and guidance.
Being prepared will help your counselor better understand your financial position so they can assess possible options available for you. Please fill out and submit the Financial Information Package (en Español) to get started. When you meet with your counselor, please have the following documents available:
One of our housing counselors will work with you and your lender to identify available options.
Complete and submit the Financial Information Package.
The longer you wait, the fewer options you may have to save your home or avoid foreclosure.
If you need assistance with completing the Financial Information Package, please contact us at 401-457-1130.
NOTE: If you have an impairment, disability, language barrier, or otherwise require an alternative means of completing this form or accessing information about our housing counseling program, please inform our housing counselor program staff so alternative accommodations may be arranged. TTY: 877-243-2823 then enter 401-868-9090.
If communication assistance is required, please contact Rhode Island Relay at 711.
RIHousing provides mediation services pursuant to RI General Laws §34-27-3.2 and 230-RICR-40-10-4. The Mortgage Foreclosure and Sale Act gives homeowners who are delinquent on their mortgage the right to a mediation conference with their mortgage lenders to facilitate a resolution to avoid foreclosure. This service is free of charge to homeowners.
Service Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Initial Outreach | $100 |
| Mediation Conference | $400 |
| Review of Agreement Outside of Mediation | $150 |
| Duplicate Certificate Request | $25 |
Please send copies of your Mediation notices along with the initial $100 fee to:
RIHousing
44 Washington Street, Providence RI 02903 Attention: Mediation Department
Important Information
Banking Bulletin Number 2024-1 – Forms required under regulation 230-RICR-40-10-4
Banking Bulletin Number 2023-1 – Relief to mortgagors under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-27-3.2(d)(1)
Frequently Asked Questions
RIHousing provides mediation services pursuant to RI General Laws §34-27-3.2 and 230-RICR-40-10-4. The Mortgage Foreclosure and Sale Act gives homeowners who are delinquent on their mortgage the right to a mediation conference with their mortgage lenders to facilitate a resolution to avoid foreclosure. This service is free of charge to homeowners.
A: If you choose not to participate in mediation, your lender could proceed with the foreclosure process without further negotiation.
A: Yes. The law was created to give Rhode Islanders an extra layer of protection in avoiding foreclosure. The mediation process may allow borrowers and lenders to identify available workout options sooner than they otherwise would.
A: Please contact your Mediation Coordinator at 401-457-1213. He will be able to provide you with information on the process, answer any questions you may have, and will give you a list of U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD)-approved counseling agencies that are prepared to work with you. Once you select a counseling agency your assigned counselor will help to submit the necessary paperwork and schedule the mediation conference. There is no cost to you to participate in the foreclosure mediation process.
A: At the mediation conference, the Mediation Coordinator will facilitate the discussion between you, your HUD-approved counselor and your mortgage lender and ensure that all parties are working in good faith. Once the mediation has taken place your lender will have 14 days to respond to your workout request. The Mediation Coordinator will review the response and determine whether it is an acceptable reply.
A: The law provides a 60-day period in which the mediation conference must take place. RIHousing encourages you to get in touch as soon as possible so you have adequate time to gather relevant paperwork and meet with a HUD-approved housing counselor to review your financial situation. Your HUD-approved counselor will also attend your mediation conference and advocate on your behalf. This service is paid for by your lender. Ultimately, your participation could result in an agreement with your lender to avoid further collections and/or foreclosure.
A: You may qualify for free legal assistance through RI Legal Services, which can be reached at 401-274-2652. The housing counseling agency you select as part of the mediation process will be able to direct you to a variety of other resources that may be available to you based on your needs.
Mediation Coordinator
mediationcoordinator@rihousing.com
401-457-1213
The Madeline Walker Act is a state law designed to help homeowners who have fallen behind on their taxes or other liens to avoid the loss of their home at tax sale. Under the Act, RIHousing has the right to purchase delinquent liens on 1-3 unit owner-occupied properties before they go to tax sale. While private lien purchasers must hold liens for only one year before initiating foreclosure, RIHousing must hold liens for a minimum of five years. During this time, RIHousing offers a range of support for homeowners, including enrolling them in a payment plan, connecting them to housing counseling, and directing them towards other community resources.
The Madeline Walker Act has allowed thousands of vulnerable homeowners to avoid foreclosure.
Homeowners at risk of losing their home to tax sale and who would like to take advantage of the assistance offered through the Madeline Walker Act must reach out to RIHousing at least 20 days prior to the scheduled tax sale in order to participate in the program.
RIHousing submits Quarterly Performance Reports to U.S. Treasury to provide a status of HHFRI. Reports are due to Treasury within 45 days of the close of the quarter and posted upon approval.
Check whether your current residence is located within an eligible census tract.
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).
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).