Rental Assistance Available For Low-Income Rhode Islanders

PROVIDENCE, RI — Low-income Rhode Islanders who are behind on their rent due to the coronavirus pandemic can now apply for emergency assistance, Gov. Gina Raimondo announced this weekend. A $1.5 million fund has been set up to help cover past-due rent and associated fees.

The fund is intended for low-income residents who are already behind on rent payments because of the crisis and are at risk of homelessness, Raimondo said. Qualifying tenants will receive a grant up to $5,000.

"It's my hope that this fund will allow us to alleviate the burden of the low-income workers who have been hit hardest by this crisis," Raimondo said.

To meet the requirements, renters must meet certain requirements, including the loss of income due to the pandemic, a lack of resources to avoid homelessness and one of the following criteria:

• Is doubled up with another family because of economic hardship;
• Has been notified that their right to occupy their current housing or living situation will be terminated within twenty-one days after the date of application;
• Has moved because of economic reasons two or more times during the sixty days immediately preceding the application;
• Is exiting a publicly funded institution or system of care;
• Lives in a hotel or motel, the cost of which is not paid for by charitable organizations or by federal, state, or local government programs for low-income individuals;
• Lives in an SRO (Single Room Occupancy) or efficiency apartment unit with at least one other person, or a larger housing unit in which there are more than one and a half persons per bedrooom; or
• Otherwise lives in housing that has characteristics associated with instability and an increased risk of homelessness.

More information is available on the Housing Help RI website, where those who qualify can apply for assistance. Renters cal also call 211 for assistance.