The State of Rhode Island has been allocated a total of $50,000 by the US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, under the Section 533, Housing Preservation Grants (HPG) program. The Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) administers the program.

RI HPG is a homeowner assistance program, which provides assistance to income-eligible homeowners, in rural communities, to reduce the cost of repair and rehabilitation, to remove or correct health or safety hazards, to comply with applicable development standards or codes or to make needed repairs to improve the general living conditions of the residents(s), including improved accessibility by handicapped persons and lead paint abatement activities. All units assisted must be brought into compliance with lead, code and thermal standards. Funds are obligated on a first-come, first-served basis (applications are not deemed accepted until OHCD receipt of complete application materials including documentation of compliance with all program requirements).

It is projected the program will assist 3-4 units (9-12 individuals)with resources awarded under the 2008 program.