As an independent public housing authority operating under the guidelines set by the State of Illinois and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), RIHA is obligated to perform both public and governmental functions for the City of Rock Island. As an Authority, RIHA has the responsibility to acquire, clear, plan and construct quality affordable homes ensuring that an adequate number of decent, safe and sanitary dwellings exist for the residents of Rock Island. As an integral part of its authority, RIHA studies the affordable housing market needs of the people it serves, determines the best means - both public and private - by which to meet those needs, and makes recommendations based on those determinations.

To this end, RIHA is committed to pursuing new and creative ways to meet the changing housing needs of the diverse population of the City of Rock Island. As an Agency, it has adopted a management philosophy that seeks to maximize the value of its assets, and guides all decisions for its financial well-being as well as that of its residents. Additionally, RIHA is a facilitator of housing opportunities transforming the organization into a development partner, asset manager, contract negotiator and contract monitor as well as property owner and manager.