Your Help is Needed to Implement Statutorily Required
Changes to HousingSearchRI.org

In 2022, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed legislation directing RIHousing to create an online searchable database of affordable apartments. RIHousing is updating HousingSearchRI.org  with a new look and additional features to meet the requirements of this law.  

Key changes:

• All deed restricted, low- and moderate-income developments will need to be listed on the site
  
  
• Rental applications will have to be included in the listing wherever possible

Registration is quick and easy! Listings can include pictures and information about rent and deposits, accessibility features and neighborhood amenities such as schools, hospitals and public transit.  

Log in at HousingSearchRI.org or call 1-877-428-8844 for live, toll-free assistance (weekdays, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. EST, voice and TTY). 

Please note that any properties not yet listed should have been contacted by representatives from Emphasys (our software vendor) to assist with registration and property updates. Please contact the Emphasys call center if you have any questions. 

Thank you in advance for your participation.  

Get Residents Back Home with

RI's Nursing Home Transition Program

A message from the RI Executive Office of Health and Human Services

As a property manager of subsidized/tax credit developments, we understand you may often have disabled or elderly residents who stay for a time in nursing homes.

During this period, you may be unsure what the length the stay will be, if the person will return home, how the rent will be paid, or whether there is a possibility of apartment abandonment.

The Nursing Home Transition Program has been available to Rhode Island Medicaid beneficiaries since 2009. The Nursing Home Transition Program's primary goal is to help Rhode Islanders who are interested in returning to their home after time spent at a nursing home. A transition team provides the support a person needs to successfully return home. This includes developing a plan of care and coordinating the goods and services necessary for transition.

The transition team provides comprehensive support to individuals in the program, including arranging home care services based on availability. Your resident will return home with the available services and supports needed to maintain a safe and healthy home, as well as the ability to successfully care for themselves through accommodations, equipment, and in home help that is required.

With the opportunity to communicate with your residents about the Nursing Home Transition Program, we can let them know that the program is available when they, a friend, or family member needs it. Communication is key to helping individuals in our communities stay in or return to their homes.

If you are willing to help us spread the word in your housing units or would like more information about how the program can support you and your residents, please reach out to Rob Ethier or Karen Statser at OHHS.OCP@ohhs.ri.gov.  We can provide content that is easily incorporated into one of your routine resident communication channels (paper or digitally). You can also learn more about the program at our website.

HUD Publishes Updated Guidance for Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance Contract Renewals (Effective May 1, 2023)

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Multifamily Housing Programs recently released updated guidance for owners of properties participating in its Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) program.

The changes published in Chapter Nine of HUD’s Section 8 Renewal Policy Guidebook are designed to streamline the contract renewal process by making it easier for owners to prepare and submit the Rent Comparability Studies that are used to establish contract rents.
 

Chapter Nine of the Guidebook now includes the following key updates:

• Revises options available for owners seeking to renew their contracts without a rent comparability study, when eligible, to reduce administrative and processing costs and time for owners.
  
  
• Enhances consistency in valuing non-shelter services to better support properties with services to residents, such as on-site health screening.
  
  
• Allows internet and broadband services to be considered an eligible non-shelter service for valuation purposes.

Click here to read the Section 8 Renewal Policy Guidebook.

Program Requirements and Best Practices Regarding
Denial of Admission in Multifamily Assistance Programs

Research has shown that landlords often utilize tenant screening reports that often include inaccurate criminal, eviction or credit history. If tenants cannot review and correct this information, they may be denied due to inaccuracy, while housing providers would miss opportunities to consider qualified applicants.

In light of the release of a Blueprint for a Renter Bill of Rights, HUD would like to remind multifamily assisted property owners of legal requirements in their portfolios and share best practices around use of tenant screening reports and disclosure of reports to tenants.

When a multifamily assisted property owner denies an applicant for its assisted program, HUD strongly encourages you to:

• Provide written adverse action notices as part of your denial letter.
  
  
• Provide a copy of any tenant screening report you relied on when making an adverse action determination to an applicant. A written notice paired with a report copy allows multifamily assisted property owners to demonstrate they have fulfilled their legal obligations under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and also permits applicants to understand the basis for any denial, fully assert their rights with tenant screening companies, and more effectively correct their records.

Helpful Tips and Tricks

Third Party Verification of Assets

Recently, Property Managers have shared that banks have started charging fees to obtain Third Party Verification of Assets. One property shared the following tip with us to get verifications for Bank of America and Santander.

This is not official guidance and we cannot ensure this will work for everyone or any other banks.

• Go to www.confirmation.com

• Click Get Started

• Type of User: Requestor

• Type of Organization: Asset Verification

• Enter your First and Last Names and work email

• Check the box that says GOVERNMENT BENEFITS ELIGIBILITY

• Once you click next, you will be sent an email verification, which may be found in your junk folder from “Thomson Reuters Confirmation”. Move/drag this email into your inbox, open the email and click Verify Email.

• This will take you back to the website where you will be asked to enter additional information and create a password.

• You can now login and request a verification.

Releases & Reminders

• NEW FY2023 Income Limits can be found here
• NEW FY2023 Tax Subsidy Income Limits (LIHTC) can be found here
• FY2023 OCAF can be found here

• FY2023 Utility Allowance Factors can be found here

• Fiscal year 2023 Fair Market Rents can be found here

• HUD's updated 9250 form for reserve requests can be found here

• Section 8 Contract Administration Program Forms & Manuals can be found here

• RIHousing has several open positions – learn more here

• Not sure who your Asset Manager is - find out here

Site Contact Information

Need to update your site contact information?

Owners and Managers can access the form below to update site contact information.

We'd love to hear from you!

To provide suggestions for information you would you like to see in future Property Matters E-News, please email Karen Slavin at kslavin@rihousing.com.