Section 8 · Providence County
Data from November 2026
How much does Section 8 pay in Providence County, Rhode Island?
HUD sets the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Providence County at $1,879 a month (Fiscal year 2027). From that figure, your housing agency sets its payment standard, which as a rule runs from $1,691 to $2,067. The voucher pays up to that standard, minus your share: generally 30% of your adjusted monthly income.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,879
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 2% less than in Rhode Island
- Possible payment standard, 2 BR
- $1,691 – $2,067
- 90% to 110% of the fair market rent
- By ZIP code, 2 BR
- $1,560 – $2,720
- across 42 ZIP codes
- Section 8 vouchers
- 8,792
- at 14 agencies based here
Only here
Section 8 in Providence County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
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None of the 5 counties in Rhode Island has a lower very low income limit (50%) than Providence County for a family of 4: $56,050 a year.
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The 2-bedroom ZIP code fair market rent in Providence County runs from $1,560 in 02826 to $2,720 in 02876 (74% more). None of the 5 counties in Rhode Island with data has a wider gap.
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Housing agencies based in Providence County hold 8,792 housing vouchers. None of the 5 counties in Rhode Island with vouchers has more.
Sources: HUD (Fiscal year 2026); HUD (Fiscal year 2027); HUD (Retrieved November 6, 2026).
Fair market rent and payment standard
What the voucher can pay, by size
Each year HUD publishes a fair market rent (FMR) for each home size in Providence County. Your housing agency uses it to set its payment standard: the most the voucher can pay toward rent and utilities.
- The fair market rent covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone. HUD generally sets it at the 40th percentile: 4 in 10 standard-quality homes rented recently cost less. Source: 24 CFR §888.113
- Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. Source: 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)
- Above 110% is an exception payment standard. Up to 120%, the agency only has to notify HUD that it meets certain criteria. Source: 24 CFR §982.503(d)
| Size | Fair rent per month | Possible payment standard |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,423 | $1,281 – $1,565 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,509 | $1,358 – $1,660 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,879 | $1,691 – $2,067 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,302 | $2,072 – $2,532 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,615 | $2,354 – $2,877 |
HUD area: Providence-Fall River, RI-MA HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
The fair market rent of each ZIP code
HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 42 ZIP codes in Providence County (Fiscal year 2027). Where they are used, they are the basis of your home’s payment standard.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,560 in 02826 to $2,720 in 02876. With the 90% to 110% rule, the payment standard could run from $1,404 to $1,716 in 02826 and from $2,448 to $2,992 in 02876.
Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses. 24 CFR §982.503(a)(1)
Lowest and highest, by size
- Studio $1,190 – $2,060
- 1 bedroom $1,270 – $2,180
- 2 bedrooms $1,560 – $2,720
- 3 bedrooms $1,880 – $3,330
- 4 bedrooms $2,240 – $3,790
| ZIP code | Studio | 1 bd | 2 bd | 3 bd | 4 bd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02802 | $1,440 | $1,530 | $1,900 | $2,330 | $2,640 |
| 02814 | $1,300 | $1,370 | $1,710 | $2,090 | $2,380 |
| 02815 | $1,590 | $1,680 | $2,100 | $2,570 | $2,920 |
| 02823 | $1,760 | $1,860 | $2,320 | $2,840 | $3,230 |
| 02824 | $1,330 | $1,410 | $1,750 | $2,150 | $2,440 |
| 02825 | $1,610 | $1,700 | $2,120 | $2,600 | $2,950 |
| 02826 | $1,190 | $1,270 | $1,560 | $1,880 | $2,240 |
| 02828 | $1,510 | $1,610 | $2,000 | $2,450 | $2,780 |
| 02829 | $1,300 | $1,370 | $1,710 | $2,090 | $2,380 |
| 02830 | $1,190 | $1,270 | $1,560 | $1,880 | $2,240 |
| 02831 | $1,870 | $1,980 | $2,470 | $3,030 | $3,440 |
| 02838 | $1,490 | $1,580 | $1,970 | $2,410 | $2,740 |
| 02839 | $1,680 | $1,780 | $2,220 | $2,720 | $3,090 |
| 02857 | $1,580 | $1,670 | $2,080 | $2,550 | $2,890 |
| 02858 | $1,200 | $1,270 | $1,580 | $1,940 | $2,240 |
| 02859 | $1,330 | $1,410 | $1,760 | $2,160 | $2,450 |
| 02860 | $1,300 | $1,380 | $1,720 | $2,110 | $2,390 |
| 02861 | $1,340 | $1,420 | $1,770 | $2,170 | $2,460 |
| 02863 | $1,250 | $1,320 | $1,650 | $2,020 | $2,300 |
| 02864 | $1,380 | $1,460 | $1,820 | $2,230 | $2,530 |
| 02865 | $1,450 | $1,540 | $1,920 | $2,350 | $2,670 |
| 02876 | $2,060 | $2,180 | $2,720 | $3,330 | $3,790 |
| 02895 | $1,300 | $1,380 | $1,720 | $2,110 | $2,390 |
| 02896 | $1,320 | $1,400 | $1,740 | $2,130 | $2,420 |
| 02903 | $1,990 | $2,110 | $2,630 | $3,220 | $3,660 |
| 02904 | $1,450 | $1,530 | $1,910 | $2,340 | $2,660 |
| 02905 | $1,370 | $1,450 | $1,810 | $2,220 | $2,520 |
| 02906 | $1,890 | $2,010 | $2,500 | $3,060 | $3,480 |
| 02907 | $1,310 | $1,390 | $1,730 | $2,120 | $2,410 |
| 02908 | $1,400 | $1,490 | $1,850 | $2,270 | $2,570 |
| 02909 | $1,470 | $1,560 | $1,940 | $2,380 | $2,700 |
| 02910 | $1,470 | $1,560 | $1,940 | $2,380 | $2,700 |
| 02911 | $1,620 | $1,720 | $2,140 | $2,620 | $2,980 |
| 02912 | $1,900 | $2,020 | $2,510 | $3,070 | $3,490 |
| 02914 | $1,450 | $1,540 | $1,920 | $2,350 | $2,670 |
| 02915 | $1,660 | $1,760 | $2,190 | $2,680 | $3,050 |
| 02916 | $1,380 | $1,460 | $1,820 | $2,230 | $2,530 |
| 02917 | $1,190 | $1,270 | $1,560 | $1,880 | $2,240 |
| 02918 | $1,400 | $1,490 | $1,850 | $2,270 | $2,570 |
| 02919 | $1,430 | $1,520 | $1,890 | $2,320 | $2,630 |
| 02920 | $1,510 | $1,600 | $1,990 | $2,440 | $2,770 |
| 02921 | $1,630 | $1,730 | $2,150 | $2,630 | $2,990 |
Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
How it is figured
What the voucher pays and what you pay
The housing agency pays the owner directly. This is how it is figured, under HUD’s rules:
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The payment standard is the most the voucher pays. The agency pays the lower of the payment standard minus your share, or the rent with utilities minus your share. Source: 24 CFR §982.505(a), (b)
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Your share (the total tenant payment) is the highest of 30% of your adjusted monthly income, 10% of your monthly income, the part of public assistance set aside for housing, or the minimum rent. Source: 24 CFR §5.628(a)
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If the rent is below the payment standard, the family generally pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. If it is above, the family pays more. Source: 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)
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When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. Source: 24 CFR §982.305(a)(5), §982.508
A family of 4 earning HUD’s extremely low income limit in Providence County has $33,650 a year, about $2,804 a month. 30% of that income is $841. Since adjusted income is the same or lower, the family’s share would generally not be more than that. If the agency sets the payment standard equal to the fair market rent ($1,879) and the 2-bedroom home rents for that, the voucher would pay about $1,038 or more.
- Rent, equal to the fair market rent
- $1,879
- Family share, at most
- $841
- Voucher payment, at least
- $1,038
This is only an example. Your agency figures your adjusted income, the home size you get and its own payment standard. Sources: HUD fair market rent (Fiscal year 2027) and HUD income limits (Fiscal year 2026).
How to apply
Where and how to ask for a voucher in Providence County
14 housing agencies are based in Providence County. This is how you apply:
- You apply at the public housing agency. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or noncitizens with eligible status as HUD defines it. Source: HUD
- Because demand is high, you may need to sign up on several waiting lists. You do not need to live where you apply. Source: HUD
- Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. In Providence County, for a family of 4 that limit is $56,050 a year (Fiscal year 2026). Source: 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)
How much can you earn? Check your case Section 8 and mixed-status families: how it worksRental help and public charge: what the rules sayHow to avoid rental scams: the signs and what to do
Housing agencies that serve this place
- Housing Authority Providence Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 2,675 vouchers · 2,603 public housing units (401) 751-6400 Housing Authority Providence: MSanzaro@provhousing.org
- Rhode Island Housing Section 8 vouchers · 2,025 vouchers (401) 443-1614 Rhode Island Housing: cventura@rihousing.com
- Woonsocket Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 740 vouchers · 1,210 public housing units (401) 767-8000 Woonsocket Housing Authority: tboisvert@woonsockethousing.org
- Housing Authority of the City of Pawtucket Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 800 vouchers · 790 public housing units (401) 721-6000 Housing Authority of the City of Pawtucket: jbarros@pawthousing.org
- Central Falls Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 598 vouchers · 327 public housing units (401) 648-8298 Central Falls Housing Authority: bridgettd@cfhousing.org
- East Providence Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 470 vouchers · 409 public housing units (401) 865-6420 East Providence Housing Authority: rott@ephousing.org
- Cranston Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 262 vouchers · 602 public housing units (401) 944-7210 Cranston Housing Authority: rcoupe@cranhousing.org
- Cumberland Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 384 vouchers · 176 public housing units (401) 334-2678 Cumberland Housing Authority: smonaghan@cumberlandha.org
- North Providence Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 277 vouchers · 145 public housing units (401) 728-0930 North Providence Housing Authority: marsenault@nphousing.org
- Lincoln Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 133 vouchers · 252 public housing units (401) 724-8910 Lincoln Housing Authority: claudette@lincolnhousing.org
- Johnston Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 209 vouchers · 150 public housing units (401) 231-2007 Johnston Housing Authority: office@johnstonhousing.org
- Burrillville Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 88 vouchers · 76 public housing units (401) 568-6200 Burrillville Housing Authority: wvalentine@burrillvillehousing.org
- Smithfield Housing Authority Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 56 vouchers · 50 public housing units (401) 949-0270 Smithfield Housing Authority: cmiller@smithfieldhousingri.org
- Gateway Healthcare, Inc. Section 8 vouchers · 75 vouchers (401) 606-6733 Gateway Healthcare, Inc.: GatewayHUDmgmt@lifespan.org
Housing agencies in Rhode Island HUD list of housing agencies Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Frequently asked questions
How much does Section 8 pay for 2 bedrooms in Providence County?
It depends on your agency’s payment standard and your income. HUD sets the 2-bedroom fair market rent at $1,879 (Fiscal year 2027), and the basic payment standard can run from $1,691 to $2,067. The voucher pays up to that standard minus your share.
How much do I pay with a voucher?
If the rent is below the payment standard, the family generally pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. If it is above, the family pays more. When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income.
Does the payment standard change by ZIP code in Providence County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $1,560 in 02826 to $2,720 in 02876. With the 90% to 110% rule, the payment standard could run from $1,404 to $1,716 in 02826 and from $2,448 to $2,992 in 02876. Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses.
Where do I apply for Section 8 in Providence County?
At a public housing agency. 14 are based in Providence County, such as Housing Authority Providence and Rhode Island Housing. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. You can sign up on several: you do not need to live where you apply.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Providence County?
Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. In Providence County, for a family of 4 that limit is $56,050 a year (Fiscal year 2026).