Housing Resources

Rhode Island Coalition

for the Homeless

160 Broad Street

Providence, RI 02903

Phone 401.421.6458

Fax 401.421.6426

See staff page for contact information.

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Public/subsidized Housing Information

Subsidized housing programs were established to provide safe, decent, affordable rental housing for low-income individuals, families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Subsidized housing programs include, vouchers for people with disabilities, portable-tenant-based, non-portable, project-based, emergency vouchers for domestic violence and vouchers to help reunite families. The largest and most will known subsidized housing program is the Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly referred to as Section 8.

Tenant-based Vouchers

Tenant-based vouchers are issued to eligible low-income households to help families afford apartments anywhere within the community, and can also be used across the country after specific guidelines are met. Households with tenant-based vouchers pay a percentage of their adjusted monthly income (generally between 30-40%) towards the rent, and the subsidy covers the remaining amount. A family with a voucher has the responsibility to select a unit that meets its needs and the program requirements. In order to qualify, the rental unit must meet certain standards:

	The apartment must be the appropriate size for the household, based on family size and composition. When a family receives a voucher, the PHA will tell them what number of bedrooms their voucher will cover. Gender and age of children is important is determining the number of bedrooms allowable.
	The unit must pas a Housing Quality Standard Inspection (HQS). This inspection is less stringent then typical state and city code enforcement lows. Inspections are designed to ensure that the apartment is meeting minimum standards of health and safety. They so not test for lead, but visually look for deteriorated paint surfaces such as chipping, pealing or cracking paint. The PHA must inspect the unit before a lease is signed, and inspections are performed each year.
	the apartment's rent must fall within certain guidelines to ensure the cost is reasonable. To determine how much can be paid for a unit's rent, the PHA uses HUD's Fair Market Rents to determine the cost of similar units of the same size and in the same area. The PHA applies a payment standard between 90-110% (120% for the disabled and those living in high rent districts.)

Project-Based Vouchers

PHA's are allowed to use a percentage of voucher assistance funds to sponsor project-based vouchers. A PHA enters into an agreement with a property owner for a specified number of years and units, maintaining their affordability for the life of the contract.

Families are referred from the PHA waiting list to the project owner to fill any vacancies that come up, but screening of potential tenants is up to the management company of the property. BCI, credit, and in some cases rental history checks are performed, In the case of project-based vouchers, because the assistance is connected to the unit, a household must obtain a housing choice voucher in order to continued receiving housing assistance upon moving from that unit.

Where to apply

In RI, 26 towns or cities have their own PHA's which administer the Housing Choice Voucher Program for that area, RI Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation (RIMFC) administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program for those smaller towns that do not have their own PHA. Each PHA ahs its won waiting list and eligibility guidelines. Waiting lists move at different speeds, and some PHA's place emphasis on different qualities or needs. Inquirer at the local PHA's office. applying to more than one PHA greatly expands your opportunity to obtain a voucher.

There is an extreme shortage of subsidized housing of every type in Rhode Island, so most PHA waiting lists are so long that they are closed temporarily to further applicants. The lists will periodically reopen for short periods of time, and it is important to stay in contact with the PHA to find out if and when the list will open. The length of the waiting list should not discourage you from applying at every possible housing authority or housing development that offers subsidized programs.

(If you are a landlord, and you are interested in learning more about the program, check out our Frequently Asked Questions.)

Other subsidized Housing Opportunities

In addition to project-based vouchers issued by housing agencies for specific housing units, RI Housing oversees the management of private developments that participate in the subsidized housing program and have a number of Section 8 units. These developments have their own admissions procedures, preferences, and waiting lists, so you should contact each one individually.