• RAFT Program:  Rental Assistance for Families in Transition

  • Helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies caused by loss of income, increase in expenses, or both. RAFT helps all kinds of households by providing up to $10,000 per household to help preserve current housing or move to new housing. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent costs, as well as future rent in limited situations.

    • The following documentation is required to apply:

1. ID for Head of Household (such as a state issued driver’s license, birth certificate, or passport)

2. Proof of Current Housing (such as a lease, tenancy agreement, or tenancy at will agreement)

3. Verification of Housing Crisis (such as a Notice to Quit, an eviction notice, a utility shutoff notice, or documentation showing an inability to stay in your current home due to health, safety, or other reasons)

4. Income Verification. In addition, after you apply, the Regional Administering Agency (RAA) or Rental Assistance Processing (RAP) Center processing your application will need to verify your income. They will attempt to do this automatically through a data match with other benefits programs and will reach out to you to provide income documents if necessary.

*You must submit a complete application with all required documents to receive benefits.

*Additionally, we encourage tenants to reach out early to their landlords and inform them about their application for RAFT. Landlords or property management will be needed to complete the process.

• Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) https://massmortgagehelp.org/

  • • The Massachusetts HAF Program is being administered by the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) and the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency (MassHousing). The Massachusetts HAF program was created by the U.S. Congress and the American Rescue Plan Act.

    • As of September 1, 2022: For new applications to the program, Mass HAF program assistance will be capped at $50,000 per household. 

    • If a homeowner is eligible for the Mass HAF program, Mass HAF will pay up to $50,000 in assistance. The homeowner’s servicer (whoever they pay their mortgage to) may be able to help with a plan to help the homeowner get caught up on the remaining amount owed.

• Applying for Housing:

  • TYPES OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO APPLY FOR: 

    • Subsidized Housing (Based on household income) Housing Authorities / CHAMP: Although many give preference to people who live or work in the community, you can apply to authorities in all communities to which you are willing to move, as well as your local authority. There is a centralized application for public housing funded by the state. : https://publichousingapplication.ocd.state.ma.us/.

    • Mobile Rental Vouchers: To apply for Section 8 online and for more information: www.section8listmass.org/How_to_Apply.php 

IMPORTANT TIPS FOR SUBSIDIZED HOUSING 

• Get on as many different waiting lists as you qualify for despite the lengths. 

• Remember, you will never get to the top of a waiting list if you are not on the waiting list. 

• If a waitlist is closed, check back monthly to see if it is open. Keep a log of all the places you apply. 

• When you move, make sure you update all the agencies where you applied of your new address. Correspondence is by letter and one missed letter will result being taken off the list!! There are no exceptions. 

• If you are denied housing, immediately contact Community Legal Aid (CLA) at (855) 252-5342. People are often denied for a variety of reasons but are successfully able to win an appeal of that decision. Time for appeals is very limited and you must act immediately. 

• Homelessness and Eviction

  • If you are homeless with a child under 21... Contact DHCD Emergency Assistance

  • DHCD (Department of Housing & Community Development) Emergency Assistance (EA) 

    • Application Process:  Call (866) 584-0653 and speak with a homeless coordinator to complete an intake assessment or emergency assistance application by phone OR apply in person at the DTA/DHCD Office