Rhode Island

The state has begun distributing $80 million in federal money to help Rhode Islanders who are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure. Rhode Island Housing, the state agency that deals with mortgage and housing issues, oversees the program, which became available to Providence residents Nov. 1 and will be available statewide Dec. 1.

Today, the U.S. Treasury announced its approval of plans for the distribution this fall of $43 million in federal Hardest-Hit Funding (HHF) in Rhode Island. On March 29, the Obama Administration announced that Rhode Island was one of five states to receive funding because high percentages of the population are struggling with unemployment, defined as counties in which the unemployment rate exceeded 12 percent in 2009. Rhode Island was supported in its efforts with tireless advocacy from the Rhode Island congressional delegation, led by U.S. Senator Jack Reed. The approved program, called HHFRI, will be offered throughout the state this fall, in partnership with certified counselors and lenders. HHFRI funds will be focused on preventing avoidable foreclosures by targeting Rhode Island homeowners in the state´s hardest hit communities who are not able to make their mortgage payments due to a hardship such as job loss or underemployment. The funds are intended to complement existing federal and lender programs, and will only be available to owner-occupied homeowners who have exhausted all other options.

Two programs for persons living with HIV/AIDS in Rhode Island will continue to receive funding over the next three years. The grants, offered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program (HOPWA), will provide service-enriched homes for dozens of families, allowing them to manage their illnesses while receiving critically-needed support services.