Rhode Island General Laws Title 45. Towns and Cities § 45-28-2. City or town authority for extension of operations

(a) For the purpose of cooperating with and assisting cities and towns, a housing authority may exercise its powers in the territory within the boundaries of any city or town not included in the area in which the housing authority is then authorized to function, or in any designated portion of that territory, after the governing body of the city or town, as the case may be, adopts an ordinance or resolution declaring that there is a need for the authority to function in the territory or in a designated portion of it.

(b) If a housing authority has previously been authorized to exercise its powers in the territory or designated portion, the ordinance or resolution shall not be adopted unless the housing authority finds that ultimate economy would thereby be promoted, and the housing authority shall not initiate any housing project in that territory or designated portion after the adoption of the ordinance or resolution.