Our Mission
Our mission is to help our community and its individuals and families in need reach a level of independence and self-sufficiency while also assisting them to ensure that they have fair, safe, and affordable housing by all means.
The Community Housing Resource Board (CHRB): Housing Hotline is a 501 (c)(3) agency that acts as a resource and referral service for low-moderate income individuals and families of Newport County and the entire state of Rhode Island. The Housing Hotline is the first of its kind in the country. It assists those experiencing housing difficulties, such as discrimination and homelessness, locating housing opportunities for displaced persons, and helping with tenant-landlord disputes.
About us
Initially established in 1979 by Newport Police Officer James (Jimmy) Winters to aid Newport's homeless population, the Housing Hotline has grown to assist with all basic human needs and emergency support, serving over 100,000 individuals and families from Newport County since its inception. Alongside his dedicated wife Barbara Winters and supportive staff, The Housing Hotline offers client services such as emergency sheltering in local hotels during the winter months, utility and fuel assistance, clothing, food and furniture, bus fare and transportation, landlord/tenant handbooks, and legal referrals, as well as workshops to educate clients regarding local health issues, laws and training programs.
