Federal housing assistance

Extra rules apply in HUD-assisted housing (housing with federal rent help). This includes public housing and Section 8 vouchers (a paper that helps pay private rent). In climate zones that HUD names, the home must have a permanently installed heating source. Small heaters that burn gas, oil, or kerosene (a fuel oil) and have no vent to the outside are not allowed in these homes. Federal inspection standards also list extreme temperature as a health and safety hazard. If HUD insures (backs the loan on) or manages your building, report problems the landlord did not fix to HUD's Multifamily Housing Complaint Line.

Extra rules apply if you live in HUD-assisted housing, which gets federal rent help. Examples include public housing and a Section 8 voucher (a paper that helps pay your rent). Federal standards require these homes to be free of health and safety hazards. Residents have the right to repairs in a timely manner. If HUD backs your building's loan or manages it, you can report problems that were not fixed to HUD's Multifamily Housing Complaint Line at 1-800-685-8470.

If you have a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8), different rules apply. The landlord can raise the total rent only when the lease term ends and must tell you in writing. The landlord must also give the housing authority notice. The housing authority must approve the new rent as reasonable for the area. Your own share is based on your income, so report income changes to the housing authority right away.

New Hampshire Housing runs the Housing Choice Voucher program for very low-income households. It estimates a wait of 7-9 years from the date of application.

RIHousing (rihousing.com) has Section 8 rental assistance (money to help pay rent), named the Housing Choice Voucher (rent help) Program. It is a federal program. It pays some or all of the rent for households that qualify. You apply through the Rhode Island Centralized Wait List. One application covers RIHousing and the Housing Authorities that take part. Not all Housing Authorities take part.

Rhode Island has 26 Public Housing Authorities (PHAs, local offices that run government-supported housing programs). Applicants can contact a housing authority for details about the programs in its area.

You may live in public housing, or use a Section 8 voucher (housing help that pays part of your rent). Either way, your share of rent is set by your income, not by the market. In public housing, rent is based on your household's yearly income minus certain amounts the program lets you take off. With this help, your family pays 30% of adjusted monthly income for rent and utilities (water, electric, gas), and the housing authority pays the rest. For example, 30% of $2,000 adjusted monthly income is $600. If your landlord raises the rent, tell your housing authority before you pay more.