R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 45-25 § 45-25-18
Tenant selection
Operative Text
In the operation or management of housing projects, the authority shall at all times observe the following duties with respect to rentals and tenant selections: (1) it may rent or lease the dwelling accommodations of housing projects only to persons who lack the amount of income necessary (as determined by the housing authority undertaking the project) to enable them, without financial assistance, to live in decent, safe, and sanitary dwellings, without overcrowding; and (2) it may rent or lease to a tenant dwelling accommodations only at rentals within the financial reach of that person; provided, that an authority may agree to conditions as to tenant eligibility or preference required by the federal government pursuant to federal law in any contract for financial assistance with the authority.
Rhode Island General Laws § 45-25-18 establishes that housing authorities operating public housing projects must follow two core rules when selecting tenants and setting rents: they may only house people whose incomes are insufficient to afford decent, safe, and uncrowded housing on their own, and they must set rents at levels that are financially reachable for each individual tenant. The law also permits housing authorities to honor additional eligibility or preference conditions imposed by the federal government when federal financial assistance is involved. These requirements are meant to ensure that public housing resources are directed toward those who genuinely need them.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Housing authorities and property managers operating under § 45-25-18 are generally expected to maintain documented income-eligibility determinations for each applicant, confirming that prospective tenants lack sufficient resources to secure adequate private housing without assistance. Rent-setting practices under this provision are tied to the individual financial circumstances of each tenant, meaning that compliant operators typically establish rents on a case-by-case basis rather than applying a uniform market rate. When federal funding is part of the project's financing, operators may also incorporate federally mandated eligibility criteria or preference categories into their tenant-selection policies.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 45-25-18, tenants in Rhode Island public housing projects have a statutory basis to expect that rents charged to them will be set within their financial means, and that the housing authority has made an individualized determination of their income eligibility before admission. If a tenant believes a housing authority has charged rent beyond what the law contemplates or applied eligibility criteria improperly, general enforcement paths include raising the issue directly with the local housing authority, contacting a tenant-rights organization familiar with public housing law, or consulting with a legal aid provider. Federal preference or eligibility conditions may also apply depending on the funding source for a particular project, which can affect the rights and options available to applicants and current residents.
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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