R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-30-1
It is found and declared that the national defense involves large increases in the military forces and personnel in this state, a great increase in the number of workers in already established industries and activities, and the bringing of a large number of workers and their families to new defense industries and activities in the state; that there exists or impends an acute shortage of safe and sanitary dwellings available to these persons and their families in this state which impedes national defense; that it is imperative that action be taken immediately to assure the availability of safe and sanitary dwellings for these persons to enable the rapid expansion of national defense activities in this state, and to avoid a large labor turnover in defense industries which would seriously hamper their production; that the provisions hereinafter enacted are necessary to assure the availability of safe and sanitary dwellings for persons engaged in national defense activities; and that these provisions are for the public use and purpose of facilitating national defense in this state. It is further declared to be the purpose of this chapter to authorize housing authorities to do any and all things necessary or desirable to secure the financial aid of the federal government, or to cooperate with or act as agents or lessees of the federal government, in the expeditious development or administration of projects to assure the availability, when needed, of safe and sanitary dwellings for persons engaged in national defense activities, and to make projects available to servicemen and returning veterans consistent with national defense.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-30-1