Assistance program · Rhode Island
Limited funds remain, per the source
FirstGenHomeRI
RIHousing pilot help of $25,000 for the down payment or closing costs of first-generation buyers who now live in certain cities; no interest or payments, and not repaid if you live in the home five years
At a glance
- Most it gives, per the source
- $25,000
- What its page says; your amount depends on the price and the loan.
- Kind of help
- Forgivable
- Second loan forgiven if you stay in the home
- First-time buyer?
- Yes
- First-time buyers only
- Minimum credit score
- 660
- The minimum the source asks for; a lender may ask for more.
- Checked
- November 5, 2026
- Against the program's official page.
Type of help
What it is
- Second loan forgiven if you stay in the home
Only in: Central Falls, East Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Providence, Newport, Providence County, Newport County
What it gives
$25,000
Source text
FirstGenHomeRI opens the doors for first-generation homebuyers with $25,000 in down payment and/or closing cost assistance. … Zero percent (0%) interest … No monthly payments … Forgivable after 5 years of owning and residing in the home*** … The down payment assistance is a grant that does not need to be repaid if the homeowner keeps their home for five years as their primary residence. A summary of what the program publishes; not a loan offer or advice. Amounts, limits and funding change without notice.
At a glance
Who qualifies
Each answer comes from the program's page. "Not stated — ask" means its page doesn't make it clear: ask before you apply.
Source text
The FirstGenHomeRI program is a pilot program with limited funds. … A first-generation homebuyer is defined as any person whose parents or guardian never owned a home during the homebuyer’s lifetime or lost the home to a foreclosure or short sale and does not own a home now. … Currently reside in: … Central Falls, East Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Providence (excluding residents in zip code 02906), Newport (residents in census tract 44005040500 only)** … purchasing a 1-4 family home or condominium anywhere in Rhode Island … Minimum credit score: 660 … Complete a HUD-approved first-time homebuyer education course … Purchase and occupy the home as your primary residence. - First-time buyers only Yes
- Homebuyer course required Yes
- Minimum credit score 660
- Income limit Per the program table (by county and household size)
- Price limit Per the program table
- Mortgages it works with Not stated — ask
- Immigration requirement Not stated — ask
- Accepts ITIN? Not stated — ask
- Spanish materials Yes
- Program status Limited funds remain, per the source
- Where it applies Central Falls, East Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Providence, Newport, Providence County, Newport County
What its page says about being open
The FirstGenHomeRI program is a pilot program with limited funds. The funds will be extended on a first come, first-served basis to qualified homebuyers who have a Loan Commitment and a fully-executed purchase and sales agreement. Read on the official page on November 5, 2026. rihousing.com
Your area in numbers
What buying costs in Central Falls, East Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Providence and Newport
These are the official figures for the area the program covers. Use them to compare the price of the home you want and your household income with the program's limits.
The typical home value ($373,600) fits within Providence County's FHA limit ($787,750).
The typical home value ($609,700) fits within Newport County's FHA limit ($787,750).
The program sets its income limit in its own table. For reference, HUD's low-income limit for 4 people in Providence County is $89,700.
The program sets its income limit in its own table. For reference, HUD's low-income limit for 4 people in Newport County is $107,900.
| Figure | Providence County | Newport County | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical home value | $373,600 | $609,700 | U.S. Census Bureau |
| FHA limit (one-unit home) | $787,750 | $787,750 | HUD |
| Conforming limit (one-unit home) | $832,750 | $832,750 | FHFA |
| HUD low income (80%), household of 4 | $89,700 | $107,900 | HUD |
Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024) · FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data) · Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data) · Income Limits (HUD) (Fiscal year 2026)
Step by step
How to use it, step by step
Each step comes from what the program's page says. What its page leaves out is further down, in the questions.
Find a participating lender-
Ask how much is left
Its page says limited funds remain. Ask whether it still takes applications and how long an answer takes.
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Confirm you count as a first-time buyer
The program requires it. Read on its page how it defines "first-time buyer" and whether there are exceptions.
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Find your county in the income table
The limit changes with the county and the number of people in your household. Count the income of everyone the program asks you to add.
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Check your county's maximum price
The program sets a maximum price per county in its table.
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Take the homebuyer course
The program requires it. HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach courses. Rhode Island has 5 agencies on HUD's list, and 5 serve people in Spanish.
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Check your score: the published minimum is 660
That is the program's minimum; the lender may ask for more. If you are short, a housing counselor can explain how to raise it.
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Find a participating lender: state programs do not take applications directly; the lender reserves the assistance while processing your mortgage.
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Compare the total cost before you sign
Ask about the total cost. The mortgage with assistance may carry a higher rate than without it, and some programs charge for the course or a fee.
Before you call
What to ask
Its page leaves 3 points unclear. Write them down for when you talk to RIHousing.
What its page does not say
- Which mortgage types does it work with: FHA, VA, USDA or conventional?
- Which immigration status or residency documents do you ask for?
- Do you accept an ITIN?
Worth asking for this kind of help
- After how many years is the loan forgiven, and what happens if I sell or refinance before then?
Against the others
How it compares with Rhode Island's other programs
The 3 programs we checked in Rhode Island, with the same fields from their official pages. "Doesn't say" means its page does not make it clear.
It is one of 3 programs in Rhode Island, out of 3, that require being a first-time buyer. It is one of 3 out of 3 that publish an amount with the figure in their own wording. It is the only program in Rhode Island on our list with "forgivable" help. It is the only local program on the list; the others cover the whole state. 3 of the 3 require a homebuyer course, this one included.
Swipe the table to see every column.
| Program | Kind of help | Published amount | First-time buyers only | Course required | Accepts ITIN | Where it applies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FirstGenHomeRIthis programLimited funds remain, per the source | Forgivable | $25,000 | Yes | Yes | Doesn't say | Central Falls, East Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Providence, Newport, Providence County, Newport County |
| 15kDPA | Deferred | $15,000 | Yes | Yes | Doesn't say | Statewide |
| Extra Assistance | Repayable | Up to 6% of the price, capped at $20,000 | Yes | Yes | Doesn't say | Statewide |
Sources
How we checked this program
We read the program's official pages on November 5, 2026 and copied their text as it appears on them. We add no amounts or requirements those pages do not state, and a program is listed as open or closed only when its page says so.
We check every program again. If more than 180 days pass without a check, the page says so.
Get free help applying
A HUD-approved housing counselor explains the program's requirements, goes over your numbers and tells you what to ask the lender. They do not sell loans.
Find a counselor (HUD)Read before you apply
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Help and programs
Down payment assistance: how it works
What down payment assistance is, the types that exist (grant, forgivable or deferred second loan, tax credit), who qualifies and where to find it.
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Help and programs
Homebuyer education courses: when you need one
What a homebuyer education course is, when Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and assistance programs require one, and where to take it for free or in Spanish.
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Help and programs
HUD housing counselors: what they do and what they cost
What a HUD-approved housing counselor does, what they help with (buying, renting, missed payments, credit), what they may charge and how to find one.
Your county
Price and income limits depend on the county. Your county page has the typical value, the FHA limit and the counseling agencies that can walk you through the application.