R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 42-11.2 § 42-11.2-4
Rental assistance — Unit based subsidies
Operative Text
The executive department is hereby authorized to enter into contracts, not to exceed twenty (20) years in duration, to make rental assistance payments to eligible owners that acquire, construct, or substantially rehabilitate housing in which at least fifty percent (50%) of the units shall be available for occupancy by eligible tenants as defined in § 42-11.2-11. In determining which projects shall receive rental assistance payments, priority shall be given to applications that contemplate the greatest percentage of units in the development for occupancy by low income families.
Rhode Island General Laws § 42-11.2-4 authorizes the state's executive department to enter into long-term contracts—lasting up to twenty years—with property owners who acquire, build, or substantially rehabilitate housing. To qualify, at least half of the units in a given development must be made available to eligible tenants as defined elsewhere in the chapter. When deciding which projects receive these rental assistance payments, the state gives priority to developments that dedicate the highest share of units to low-income families.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 42-11.2-4, property owners who acquire, construct, or substantially rehabilitate housing may be eligible to receive state rental assistance payments through a contract with the executive department lasting up to twenty years. A compliant operator generally ensures that at least fifty percent of the development's units are reserved for eligible tenants as defined in § 42-11.2-11. Because priority is given to projects with the greatest percentage of units designated for low-income families, operators seeking a competitive application typically document and maximize that percentage in their project proposals.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 42-11.2-4 establishes a framework under which certain rental housing developments in Rhode Island may receive state-funded rental assistance, with at least half of the units required to be available to eligible tenants as defined in § 42-11.2-11. Tenants who believe they may qualify for housing in an assisted development can look into whether a property participates in this program and whether they meet the eligibility criteria set out in the chapter. Tenant-rights organizations and Rhode Island's housing agencies can be useful resources for understanding how eligibility is determined and what options may be available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation