Warwick, R.I. – The Realtor Foundation: Rhode Island and RIHousing today announced a new round of their RI Realtors Homebuyer Grant, with $50,000 available in down payment and closing costs assistance for Rhode Island families purchasing their first home. This additional program funding comes after a successful first round in 2025, which saw 49 families assisted in buying a home.
First-time homebuyers with current qualifying income limits of $92,080 can apply for a $1,000 grant. Those homebuyers who are also veterans or active military personnel are eligible for a $2,000 grant. The grants are immediately forgivable. Information can be found on https://realtorfoundationri.org/HomebuyerGrant.asp or https://www.rihousing.com/ri-realtors-homebuyer-grant/.
“We’re proud to continue our commitment to expanding access to homeownership through the second year of our First-Time Homebuyer Grant. Building on last year’s success, the grant helps to reduce the upfront financial barriers that are standing in the way of purchasing a home, said Philip Tedesco, Executive Director of Realtor Foundation: Rhode Island and CEO of the Rhode Island Association of Realtors.
“This initiative is one of many undertaken by our Realtor membership to combat Rhode Island’s housing crisis. Our goal is to see a strong housing economy, where more prospective homebuyers are able to achieve housing stability and build long-term wealth.”
RIHousing, the state’s housing finance agency and one of Rhode Island’s leading lenders to first-time homebuyers, will be administering the Realtor Foundation’s program. In addition to this new grant, RIHousing offers a number of initiatives for first-time buyers, including the 15kDPA, Extra Assistance, and FirstGenHomeRI programs.
“We’re happy to be collaborating with the Realtor Foundation again on the RI Realtors Homebuyer Grant, a program that assisted 49 Rhode Island families in its first round last year,” said Carol Ventura, CEO & Executive Director at RIHousing. “With $50,000 available, we look forward to providing down payment assistance to Rhode Islanders making the leap into homeownership.”
The RI Realtor Homebuyer Grant is available beginning today, March 10, 2026. Funds are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis to eligible buyers. To learn more, please contact the RIHousing Loan Center or an RIHousing Participating Lender.
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About the Realtor Foundation: Rhode Island
The Realtor Foundation: Rhode Island, the charitable arm of the Rhode Island Association of Realtors, assists eligible families and individuals that need help with home purchases, home repairs, and other housing-related needs. In addition, throughout the foundation’s history, the Foundation has also worked to support Rhode Island’s charitable organizations and in doing so, has helped enrich all Rhode Island communities. More information can be found on RealtorFoundationRI.org.
About RIHousing
RIHousing works to ensure that all people who live in Rhode Island can afford a healthy, attractive home that meets their needs. RIHousing provides loans, grants, education and assistance to help Rhode Islanders find, rent, buy, build and keep a good home. Created by the General Assembly in 1973, RIHousing is a self-sustaining corporation and receives no state funding for operations. For more information regarding RIHousing, visit RIHousing.com or follow us @RIHousing on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.