Where Can I Get Rent Assistance or Eviction Help in Rhode Island?
This page lists Rhode Island groups and programs that may help renters. It covers legal help, housing programs and discrimination complaints. Each entry says how to reach the group.
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Rhode Island Legal Services gives legal help to low-income people in Rhode Island. Call (401) 274-2652 or (800) 662-5034. Its Housing Law Center works on eviction defense and foreclosure (when a bank takes a home). On its site (rils.org), use Apply For Help. Sending the form does not mean it can help you. If you may qualify, it will contact you.
✓ Details checked October 3, 2026
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The Rhode Island Center for Justice (centerforjustice.org) has a Tenant Advocacy Project. Its lawyers hold clinics. They give brief advice to low-income tenants with bad conditions in the home. Where appropriate, they give full legal help.
✓ Details checked October 3, 2026
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The Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing (housing.ri.gov) has the 2024 Landlord Tenant Handbook. It is a guide to landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities. It was made with the Rhode Island Center for Justice, HousingWorks RI and Rhode Island Legal Services. It comes in English and Spanish.
The state housing office lists United Way of Rhode Island (uwri.org). It describes United Way as assistance with housing, utilities (water, electric, gas), and other support services.
The state housing office lists the Rhode Island Association of Community Action Agencies (RICAA). It says RICAA has statewide resources for housing, financial and community support.
✓ Details checked October 3, 2026
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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.
✓ Details checked October 3, 2026
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