R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 45-25 § 45-25-18.6
Power of board
Operative Text
(a) The board shall: (1) Advise the housing authority on matters concerning the general welfare of the tenants of housing projects and facilities. (2) Review and veto rules of the housing authority promulgated in accord with § 45-25-18.1 prior to publication. (3) Meet on a regular basis with available federal, state, and local government officials or their representatives to propose and develop specific legislation designed to alleviate the problems of those tenants living on fixed or limited incomes, and to transmit all proposals to the appropriate government representatives for consideration. (b) Final determinations reached on matters heard by way of review are binding on the housing authority. (c) The power of review and veto is exercised by a two-thirds (⅔) majority of those present and voting.
Under Rhode Island General Laws § 45-25-18.6, a tenant board is granted specific powers over a local housing authority. The board may advise the authority on tenant welfare, veto proposed rules before they are published, and meet with government officials to advocate for tenants on fixed or limited incomes. Any final determinations the board reaches through its review process are legally binding on the housing authority, and the veto power requires a two-thirds majority of members present and voting.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Housing authorities operating under § 45-25-18.6 are subject to board oversight before new rules take effect. Compliant authorities generally submit proposed rules to the tenant board for review prior to publication, as required by the cross-reference to § 45-25-18.1, and treat any binding determinations from the board's review process as enforceable outcomes. Operators who proceed with rule publication without completing this review process risk having those rules invalidated by a two-thirds board vote.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 45-25-18.6 establishes a tenant board with real authority to shape housing authority rules and advocate for residents, particularly those on fixed or limited incomes. Tenants in housing projects may benefit from the board's power to veto rules before they take effect and to engage government officials on legislative solutions to affordability challenges. Tenants who believe a housing authority has bypassed the board's review process may consider raising this as a concern with the board directly, contacting a local tenant-rights organization, or reaching out to state or local government representatives.
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