Kara Lachapelle,
Chief Financial Officer
Providence, RI – Today, after successfully helping more than 1,700 Rhode Islanders stay in their homes, RIHousing announced its Homeowner Assistance Fund Rhode Island (HAF-RI) program is closing to new applications.
“We’re proud to have helped many homeowners across Rhode Island keep their homes in the wake of the pandemic,” said Carol Ventura, Executive Director of RIHousing. “While our HAF-RI program is now closed to new applications, RIHousing remains committed to helping homeowners in need through other existing resources, like our HelpCenter, which provides free counseling to Rhode Islanders facing foreclosure.”
Launched on January 10, 2022, HAF-RI provided much-needed financial assistance to eligible Rhode Island homeowners who struggled to pay their mortgage and/or other housing-related expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded via the federal Homeowner Assistance Fund that was approved as part of the American Rescue Plan Act in spring 2021, Rhode Island received $50 million in program funds. Administered by RIHousing, HAF-RI helped prevent mortgage delinquencies and defaults, foreclosures, loss of utilities and home energy services, and displacement of homeowners.
While this program is closing, Rhode Island homeowners who are currently struggling to make their mortgage payments and/or facing foreclosure have several assistance options available:
Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor such as the RIHousing HelpCenter. Dedicated housing counselors work with homeowners and their lenders to review and identify available options to avoid foreclosure. Options may include loan modifications, work-out agreements, repayment plans and/or referral to RI Legal Services. A list of HUD-approved counseling agencies is available online at: hud.gov/findacounselor. The RIHousing HelpCenter can be reached via the agency’s website at www.rihousing.com/homeowner-assistance or 401-457-1130.
Directly contact their loan servicer about opportunities to restructure their mortgage.
Contact a local Community Action Agency (CAP) about available utility assistance programs. A list of Rhode Island CAP agencies is available at: ricommunityaction.org.
