Sunset Programs
In 2006, Rhode Island voters approved a resolution authorizing the state to issue $50 million in general obligation bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes to support affordable housing. The initiative became known as Building Homes Rhode Island (BHRI).
Funding was distributed over four years, with $12.5 million allocated annually. Of the total $50 million funding, $40 million (80%) was dedicated to the development of affordable rental housing, while $10 million (20%) supported homeownership opportunities.
To maximum impact, BHRI funds were leveraged alongside other state and federal resources, generating approximately $450 million in additional investment. According to HousingWorksRI, the program produced nearly $800 million in total economic activity and supported approximately 6,100 jobs, resulting in about $300 million in wages.
Through eight competitive funding rounds, BHRI financed the creation of 1059 affordable rental units and 147 affordable homeownership units across 28 communities. All housing developed through the program is required to remain affordable for a minimum of 30 years.
In 2012, Rhode Island voters approved an additional $25 million in bonds to continue supporting affordable housing efforts. BHRI II funded 746 rental units and 22 affordable homeownership units in 14 communities.
In 2016, voters approved an additional $40 million in BHRI funding as part of the Housing Opportunity Bonds, further expanding housing initiatives through redevelopment and new construction. BHRI III supported the creation of 1069 affordable rental units and 40 affordable homeownership units across 19 communities.
In 2021, Rhode Island voters approved an additional $50 million in bonds to be used toward affordable housing development. BHRI IV funded 773 affordable rental units and 17 affordable homeownership units.
Funding decisions for the BHRI funding programs were made by the Housing Resources Commission (HRC), typically based on recommendations provided by RIHousing, which the HRC engaged as a partner to administer BHRI funds.
With the elimination of the HRC as part of the State's Fiscal Year 2026 budget, the Building Homes RI program will not continue beyond the spending of 2020 bond funds. The 2024 Housing bond and future housing bonds will be administered by the Executive Office of Housing through a variety of new programs. Some programs continue to be administered by RIHousing through new partnerships with EOH, and others by other partners or by EOH directly.
Some developments supported with BHRI funds also produced units that were not directly subsidized by those funds. Collectively, the four funding rounds resulted in 881 additional housing units.
| Year / Round | BHRI Units | Additional Units | Total Units |
| 2006 BHRI I | 1206 | 299 | 1505 |
| 2012 BHRI II | 768 | 396 | 1164 |
| 2016 BHRI III | 1109 | 46 | 1155 |
| 2021 BHRI IV | 790 | 140 | 930 |
| Total | 3873 | 881 | 4754 |
Expedited Permit requests must be submitted to Land Use Calendar (ri.gov) as of January 1, 2024.
The Housing Resources Commission (HRC) was created by legislation in 1998 to be the State's planning and policy, standards and programs agency for housing issues. Established under Rhode Island General Laws (R.I.G.L. 42-128) (RI Housing Resources Act of 1998), the HRC was comprised of 28 members, representing a wide range of constituents. Effective July 1, 2025, HRC and the Advisory Council to the Interagency Council on Homelessness will be consolidated to an overarching Advisory Council on Housing and Homelessness.
Funded with $2.2M in State Fiscal Recovery Funds – this initiative provides grants to municipalities to expand homelessness services or support municipalities with temporary, emergency shelter related costs. The Executive Office of Housing (formerly the Department of Housing) supported three rounds of the program:
Municipal Homelessness Support Initiative Round 3- Closed March 7, 2025
Awardees:
- Burrillville – School Transportation Costs– $74,000
- Providence – Expansion of Shelter Bed Availability– $364,000
- Warwick – Public Safety Expenses– $240,000
- Woonsocket – Expansion of Shelter Bed Availability– $40,000
- Smithfield – Financial Assistance for Municipal Services– $150,000
- Newport – Winter Emergency Hub Activations– $119,124
- West Warwick – Winter Emergency Hub Activations– $119,317
- Woonsocket – Winter Emergency Hub Activations– $90,900
Municipal Homelessness Support Initiative Round 2
Awards:
- Burrillville – School Transportation Costs– $75,000
- Newport – December Winter Hub Activations– $65,854
- Westerly – Expansion of Current Shelter Capacity– $176,469
- West Warwick – Winter Emergency Hub Activations– $37,518
- Woonsocket – Winter Emergency Hub Activations– $375,818
- Woonsocket – Maintain/Expand Shelter Capacity (Harvest Kitchen)– $77,234
- East Providence – Winter Emergency Hub Activation – $30,642.00
- Providence – Winter Emergency Hub Activation –$54,046.00
- West Warwick –Winter Emergency Hub Activation –$33,000.00