Federal Rental Assistance Program Closed to New Applications

Launched in May 2021, RentReliefRI has assisted over 29,000 renter households to date.

RentReliefRI has been a lifeline for RI renters impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, helping thousands of families remain in their homes and catch up on rent and utility payments. The federally-funded RentReliefRI program closed to new applications on June 1, 2022. Launched in March of last year, the program provides financial assistance to cover rent arrears, forward facing rent, utility arrears and certain other housing expenses.

Completed applications that were submitted by June 1, 2022, will continue to be processed and those that meet eligibility guidelines will be eligible to receive assistance after the closing date, which will be limited to past due rent and utilities, current month rent and 3 months forward-facing rent after which time there will be no further financial assistance available under the RentReliefRI program.

Housing and Rental Assistance

Resources

  • Renter’s Fact Sheet by Housing Network RI – Know your rights as a renter.
  • Safe Harbor Rental Assistance from United Way RI – an eviction diversion initiative designed to help Rhode Island landlords and tenants resolve disputes over late or unpaid rent.  Our CHWs worked with residents to distribute $96,708 to 34 families. The Safe Harbor program, funded with Federal CARES Act dollars, has depleted its funds.
  • West Elmwood Housing Assistance Program – Residents living in 02907 can apply for rental and grocery assistance.

RentReliefRI