R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-9-8.3 — Sale of owner-occupied residential property to housing agency

(a) Where the property subject to tax sale is owner-occupied residential and contains
three (3) or less units, the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation
shall have a right of first refusal to acquire the tax lien at tax sale, and may assist
the owner to discharge the lien or take title and acquire the property in its own
name pursuant to regulations to be developed by the corporation, consistent with its
purposes. The corporation shall notify the collector of its intention to exercise
this right by the later of: (i) thirty (30) days from its receipt of the certified
mail notice set forth in § 44-9-10; or (ii) ten (10) days before the date of sale or any adjournment of the sale. Failure
of the corporation to notify the collector as provided herein shall extinguish the
right of first refusal provided in this section.
(b) There shall be an advisory board consisting of six (6) members: one person appointed
by the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns; one person appointed by the Consumer
Credit Counseling Services of Rhode Island; one person appointed by Rhode Island Legal
Services; one person appointed by the Housing Network of Rhode Island, one appointed
by the Urban League of Rhode Island and one appointed by the Center for Hispanic Policy
and Advocacy. The advisory committee shall provide advice and recommendations to the
governing board of the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation regarding
that corporation’s activities under this section. The members of the advisory board
shall receive no compensation for the performance of their duties, but may be reimbursed
for reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out their duties.