Congressional legislation including the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan have taken steps to help the homeless and those struggling with their mortgages, rent, or utility bills in light of blocked attempts to extend the eviction moratorium. I will keep advocating for more assistance for the most vulnerable Rhode Islanders as the Senate considers further legislative responses to the coronavirus pandemic
Federal:
Most recently, the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan delivered a total of $402 million in aid to Rhode Islanders struggling to pay their rent or mortgage during the ongoing crisis. Tenants and landlords can access rental and utility assistance by applying to RIHousing’s RentReliefRI program HERE. The Homeowner Assistance Fund program has not yet opened for applications in Rhode Island, but homeowners can sign up HERE to be notified of the program launch date:
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has also posted a COVID-19 resources webpage for homeowners and renters. You can find that page HERE.
State:
Governor Raimondo has announced that all eviction hearings in Rhode Island are postponed through the end of May. Currently, eviction actions may be filed beginning on June 1, but the Rhode Island District Court will determine the appropriate protocol for resuming eviction. The Governor has also recommended that public housing residents with eviction-related questions contact Rhode Island Legal Services at (401) 274-2652, and tenants in private rental housing contact the Rhode Island Center for Justice at (401) 491-1101 with questions.
Rhode Island will receive $23 million from the American Rescue Plan Act in homelessness assistance and supportive services funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This is in addition to $9 billion in funding from the CARES Act for the Homeless Assistance Emergency Solutions Grant program (ESG) and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for eviction prevention assistance and to expand economic opportunities for low- and middle-income persons, respectively.
Emergency Rental Assistance funds disbursed through RentReliefRI can also be used for housing stability purposes and to help homeless individuals find housing. More information can be found HERE.
Rhode Island will be awarded an additional $21.9 million for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a result of the bipartisan push I led in the Senate. LIHEAP provides formula funding to states and localities to help low-income families and seniors, including the unemployed, pay their utility bills.
This year, Rhode Island received a record $52.7 million for the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP) from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as a result of the bipartisan push I led in the Senate. LIHEAP provides formula funding to states and localities to help low-income families and seniors, including the unemployed, pay their utility bills. The total of $52.7 million – which includes a one-time boost of $30.8 million from the American Rescue Plan Act – is the highest amount Rhode Island has ever received in LIHEAP to help families struggling with the costs of home heating.
Further information on LIHEAP in Rhode Island, including eligibility and the application process, can be found HERE.
In addition to LIHEAP, Emergency Rental Assistance funds disbursed through RentReliefRI can also be used by renters to pay for utilities even if they do not need help paying for rent. You will need to show past amount(s) due by providing a recent statement from the utility company/companies.
Further information on LIHEAP in Rhode Island, including eligibility and the application process, can be found HERE.
In addition to LIHEAP, Emergency Rental Assistance funds disbursed through RentReliefRI can also be used by renters to pay for utilities even if they do not need help paying for rent. You will need to show past amount(s) due by providing a recent statement from the utility company/companies.
Rhode Island has also made a direct payment to National Grid on behalf of renters who owe money on their gas and electric payments for households already determined to meet the RentReliefRI income threshold. Households must confirm that they have suffered a financial hardship during the pandemic in order to clear the owed amount on their accounts.
