Rhode Island renters who have fallen on hard times due to the pandemic and face housing debt, or are threatened by eviction due to unpaid rent, have a well-funded lifeline available to them through federal dollars accessible via RI Housing.

In total, the federal government has provided $352 million in assistance to Rhode Island renters in need of money for housing-related expenses, whether that is unpaid rent, forward-facing rent, utility expenses or other applicable costs that they are unable to afford. The program is available to tenants and landlords.

“It is a significant amount of money that we have here,” said Rep. June Speakman, the District 68 Representative who co-chairs the Rhode Island House Committee on Municipal Government and Housing, during an informational meeting on the rent relief program. “I’m optimistic that it will help a lot of people.”

Who can apply?

Anybody who has been approved for unemployment benefits or can show proof of being at risk of housing instability or homelessness automatically qualifies for the program. Likewise, those who have experienced a reduction in household income, whether that’s due to a lost job or an increase in expenses due to the pandemic, will qualify as well.

You also qualify for the program if you have an annual household income of 80 percent of the annual median income for Rhode Island — which translates roughly to $69,200 for a family of four.

What costs could be covered?

Those who qualify may access money to help with past due rent, up to three months (or more) of forward-facing rent at a time, and unpaid utility costs such as fuel, electricity, trash removal, water and gas (both past-due and forward-facing payments up to 18 months).

The program may also provide a forward-facing internet stipend of $50, which may be useful for those who have had to increase their use of online services while working from home.

“Which we’ve found during this pandemic is so important to folks, both from job and education standpoints, as well as health,” said Amy Rainone, Director of Government Relations for RI Housing.

What is needed to apply?

Tenants applying for assistance should prepare documentation including proof of residency, proof of income, a signed copy of their lease agreement or documentation of tenancy, and documentation demonstrating a rental or utility debt (like a past-due bill, demand letter or notice of eviction, or any related correspondence from a property manager or landlord).

Property managers and landlords applying for assistance should prepare a W9 form, EIN or SSN verification (like a tax filing or social security card), rent arrearage documentation such as a ledger or past due notice, proof of property ownership and contact information for the tenant applying for assistance. Ms. Rainone said the process will work much more smoothly when landlords and tenants work collaboratively on applying for the assistance.

“In the event that a tenant is applying for assistance and their landlord is unable or unwilling to respond or participate in the program, we are able to make payments directly to a tenant. However, our preference is definitely to get the property manager or landlord involved,” she said. “It’s definitely better for both the landlord and the tenant if both parties are participating in the application.”

Ms. Rainone also said that RI Housing is prepared to assist people regardless of their spoken language, whether or not they have all the required documentation and regardless of whether they feel certain they qualify for assistance. For example, some people may be paying rent with cash and therefore not have documented proof of made rent payments.

“We really work with each applicant to meet them where they are and try to identify what kinds of documentation could demonstrate their eligibility for the program,” she said.

Homeowner assistance coming soon

Ms. Rainone mentioned that an additional $50 million in housing aid will become available later in August for homeowners of 1-to-4 unit properties — and even households earning up to 150 percent of the average median income (about $116,850 for a family of three) will be eligible.

This program will provide up to 24 months of assistance (to a limit of $50,000) and can cover things like past-due mortgage and utility payments, a reduction of mortgage principle, and other housing-related costs, such as property taxes, condo fees and mortgage insurance.

Click here for more information on the program or to submit an application. There is also a call center available for all inquiries at 1-855-608-8756.