Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Executive Office of Housing coordinates statewide housing policy and administers certain housing programs and resources. However, EOH does not oversee every housing-related issue or every residential property in Rhode Island.

Certain matters, including tenant-landlord disputes, building code enforcement, lead safety, public housing management, vouchers, and legal assistance, may fall under the responsibility of other state agencies, municipalities, housing authorities, or service providers.

We know housing can be complicated, and it can be difficult to know where to start or which agency, program, or resource can help. This page provides answers to some of the questions we hear most often about housing in Rhode Island. We’ll continue to update this page as programs, policies, and resources evolve. In addition to the answers to these FAQs, we invite you to explore our resources tab on this website, as additional information can be found there.

FAQs

What should I do if I am facing an eviction or housing discrimination?

If you are facing eviction or have questions about your rights as a tenant, Rhode Island Legal Services (RILS) may be able to provide free legal assistance if you qualify. RILS assists eligible Rhode Islanders with a range of housing-related matters, including evictions, housing voucher issues, appeals, tenant rights, and related social services.

For more information about RILS and its legal services, including eligibility and contact information, visit: https://rils.org/index.cfm

You may also contact the Center for Justice, which works with community organizations to protect legal rights and advance justice for individuals, families, and communities. Learn more at: https://centerforjustice.org/

If you believe you have experienced housing discrimination, you should contact the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights (RICHR) as soon as possible. RICHR investigates complaints of discrimination in housing and can provide information about the complaint process.

Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights

180 Westminster Street, 3rd Floor

Providence, RI 02903

Phone: (401) 222-2661

Fax: (401) 222-2616

TTY (Relay RI): (401) 222-2664

General inquiries: RICHR.Info@richr.ri.gov

Fair Housing inquiries: RICHR.Housing@richr.ri.gov

Education and Outreach: RICHR.Outreach@richr.ri.gov

For additional information about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant or landlord, review the Rhode Island Landlord-Tenant Handbook: https://housing.ri.gov/data-reports/landlord-tenant-handbook

Where can I get information about housing vouchers?

For questions about housing vouchers, including voucher programs, voucher transfers, and the centralized waitlist, please contact RIHousing at waitlist@rihousing.com

For more information and contact details, please visit: https://www.rihousing.com/renters/voucher-programs/

If you would like to contact one of the state’s local public housing authorities, you can find their contact information here: https://www.publichousingri.us/

What should I do if I am experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless?

If you are experiencing homelessness or are at imminent risk of homelessness, visit a Regional Access Point (RAP) for assistance.

RAPs provide individuals and families with easy-to-access assistance for housing-related services. Services may include:

Case management
Housing navigation
Emergency shelter
Mental health and substance use services
Other critical resources

RAPs work to prevent homelessness when possible and help individuals and families transition from homelessness to stable housing.

For a list of Regional Access Points and more information, please visit: https://housing.ri.gov/resources/individuals-experiencing-homelessness

Where can I get help paying my rent or utilities?

The Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing does not have resources available to provide direct rental payment assistance.

If you need help paying rent, please contact:

Your local municipality: Some municipalities may offer rental assistance or other emergency housing resources. Contact your city or town to learn what programs may be available.
United Way of Rhode Island: United Way can help connect Rhode Islanders with available community resources and assistance programs, including rental assistance and electric, gas, and heat payments through the Good Neighbor energy Fund. To reach the United Way, you can call 211 or visit their website: http://www.unitedwayri.org
Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS): The DHS has a Housing Stability Pilot (HSP) program that provides payment assistance to help eligible families resolving a specific housing crisis and maintain housing stability. To learn more, visit: https://dhs.ri.gov/media/11671/download?language=en
Local Community Action Program (CAP) Agency: CAP agencies offer a full range of services to help individuals and families access quality health, housing, and human services. See the list of local CAP agencies below:

Blackstone Valley Community Action Program
32 Goff Avenue, Pawtucket, RI 02860
401-723-4520
www.bvcap.org [bvcap.org]
Communities Served: Pawtucket, Central Falls, Lincoln, Cumberland, Woonsocket

Community Action Partnership of Providence
518 Hartford Avenue, Providence, RI 02909
401-273-2000
www.cappri.org [cappri.org]
Communities Served: Providence

Community Care Alliance
PO Box 1700, Woonsocket, RI 02895
401-235-7000
www.CommunityCareRI.org [communitycareri.org]
Communities Served: Woonsocket

Comprehensive Community Action
311 Doric Avenue, Cranston, RI 02910
401-467-9610
www.comcap.org [comcap.org]
Communities Served: Cranston, Foster, Scituate, Coventry

Eastbay Community Action - Lower Bay Region
19 Broadway, Newport, Rhode Island 02840
401- 847-7821
www.ebcap.org [ebcap.org]
Communities Served: Newport, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Middletown, Jamestown, Little Compton

Eastbay Community Action - Upper Bay Region
100 Bullocks Point Avenue, Riverside, RI 02915
401-437-1000
www.ebcap.org [ebcap.org]
Communities Served: East Providence, Warren, Bristol, Barrington

Tri-County Community Action Agency - Northern Region
1126 Hartford Avenue, Johnston, RI 02919
401-351-2750
www.tricountyri.org [tricountyri.org]
Communities Served: North Providence, Johnston, North Smithfield, Smithfield, Burrillville, Glocester

Tri-County Community Action Agency - Southern Region
1935 Kingstown Road, Wakefield, RI 02879
401-789-3016
www.tricountyri.org [tricountyri.org]
Communities Served: Exeter, Charlestown, Narragansett, Westerly, Hopkinton, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Richmond, West Greenwich, New Shoreham

Westbay Community Action Partnership
224 Buttonwoods Avenue, Warwick, RI 02886
401-732-4660
www.westbaycap.org [westbaycap.org]
Communities Served: Warwick, West Warwick, East Greenwich

Who should I contact about lead safety in my rental property?

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) oversees the state’s Lead Hazard Mitigation Program.

For questions about lead safety, inspections, lead certificates, or requirements for rental properties related to lead mitigation, visit the Department of Health’s Lead Hazard Mitigation Program webpage.

Who do I contact about Rhode Island’s Rental Registry?

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) oversees the state’s Rental Registry.

For questions about the Rental Registry or rental property registration requirements, visit the Department of Health’s Rental Registry webpage.

I need help finding affordable housing. Where do I start?

If you are looking for affordable housing, please visit RIHousing's website: https://www.rihousing.com/renters/. This website provides information about available affordable rental opportunities through HousingSearchRI and the Rhode Island Rental Resource Guide.

My apartment has health or safety concerns. Who should I contact?

If you have concerns about the health, safety, or condition of your apartment, you should contact your local building official or code enforcement office. Municipal building and code officials are responsible for enforcing applicable building, housing, and safety codes.

If your concern involves property management or a property overseen by RIHousing, you may also contact RIHousing’s Tenant Concerns team at tenantconcerns@rihousing.com.

If your concern involves lead hazards or lead safety, please contact the Rhode Island Department of Health. You can find contact information and more details related to housing health and safety at https://health.ri.gov/

What are my responsibilities as a tenant? As a landlord?

Tenants and landlords each have rights and responsibilities under Rhode Island law. The Rhode Island Landlord-Tenant Handbook provides an overview of these responsibilities, including information about rental agreements, rent, property maintenance, repairs, security deposits, notices, and other common landlord-tenant issues.

Review the Rhode Island Landlord-Tenant Handbook to better understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant or landlord: https://housing.ri.gov/data-reports/landlord-tenant-handbook

Still have a question? If you don't see your question answered here, you can contact the Executive Office of Housing by filling out a Webform, which can be accessed here: https://housing.ri.gov/send-us-message.