R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 42-55 § 42-55-11
Admission and income limitations relative to housing developments
Operative Text
(a) Admission to housing developments financed or insured by corporation mortgage loans or by the proceeds of mortgage loans purchased by the corporation or the proceeds of a loan to a mortgage lender or financed by the proceeds of obligations issued by the corporation pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be limited primarily to persons or families of low and moderate income. (b) The corporation shall approve a residential selection plan submitted by a housing sponsor for a housing development to be financed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. The corporation shall make and publish regulations from time to time governing the terms of the resident selection plans. These plans shall include criteria for resident selection which establish income limits for eligible residents which may vary with the size and circumstances of the person or family. Subject to the approval of the corporation, resident selection plans may provide, with respect to dwelling accommodations, that any local housing authority created pursuant to the Rhode Island law in the municipality in which the housing development is located, shall have the right to designate residents, who are otherwise eligible for these accommodations as they become available, either in the initial occupancy of the housing development, or as vacancies occur. (c) The corporation shall by rules and regulations provide for the periodic examination of the income of any person or family residing in any housing development financed with a loan from the corporation.
Section 42-55-11 of Rhode Island General Laws Chapter 42-55 establishes that housing developments financed or insured through the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation are intended primarily for persons and families of low and moderate income. Developers seeking financing must submit a resident selection plan for the corporation's approval, and that plan must include income-based eligibility criteria that can account for household size and circumstances. The corporation is also required to periodically review the incomes of residents living in these developments to ensure continued eligibility.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-55-11, operators of housing developments financed through the corporation are expected to maintain a corporation-approved resident selection plan that sets out clear income limits for prospective residents. Compliant operators account for variations in household size and circumstances when establishing those limits, and they cooperate with the corporation's periodic income examinations of current residents. Where a local housing authority has been granted designation rights under an approved plan, operators generally honor that authority's referrals for eligible applicants as units become available.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-55-11 establishes that residents of corporation-financed housing developments have a right to be selected through an approved plan that sets income-based eligibility criteria, which may vary based on family size and circumstances. If a local housing authority in your municipality has been granted designation rights under an approved resident selection plan, eligible applicants may be referred through that authority as units open up. Tenants who believe a development's selection or income-review practices are inconsistent with § 42-55-11 may consider contacting the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation directly or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance.
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.
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