Visit this page to understand what to expect when you or your tenant applies for emergency housing payment assistance. When you submit the application, you give consent to DHCD to search other state agency databases to see if your income has already been verified by another qualifying program. Note that it will likely take 5 business days to hear back due to high volume. The CM will review all documents and will follow up with the service provider by email or phone if they are in need of additional documents. Owners, managers, and service providers sustain our nonprofit trade association with membership dues. Also, in order to qualify for RAFT COVID funds, tenants household income must be at or below 50% of Area Median Income. But considering the language in discrimination law 151B, theres too much risk and vulnerability for discrimination liability to take that step hastily. Landlords should be aware that Chapter 151B of the Massachusetts General Laws prohibits discrimination by a landlord against any tenant receiving federal, state, or local housing subsidies, including rental assistance or rental supplements, because the individual is such a recipient. contact the Housing and Community Development. In those cases, landlords may seek to evict before the RAFT process has begun. Landlords can apply directly for rental assistance on behalf of eligible residents. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. Please do not include personal or contact information. Landlords of tenants who receive RAFT COVID funds do not lose the right to evict due to lease violations, or in the event that agreements including use of RAFT funds are not complied with. Depending on which agency or housing authority administers the voucher or subsidy, this may take the form of a lease or a rent share letter.. To view all of this presentation, you must be logged-in and a member in good standing. In this article, well look at what RAFT is, who it is designed to benefit, how it affects landlords and the areas where it could be doing more for families in need. Legislative Affairs Counsel Renters who are in arrears may qualify for one or more subsidies, e.g., Rental Assistance for Families in Transition ( RAFT ), Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance ( ERMA ), and Emergency Assistance Rental Program ( ERAP ). The two pilot regions are Way Finders in the Greater Springfield region and the Housing Assistance Corporation, serving Cape Cod and the islands. Households applying after Aug. 1, 2022, must have been served a notice to quit or eviction notice, or have a court summons for owed rent in order to be eligible. Tuesday 8 AM 7 PM To learn more about eligibility, resources, and applying, homeowners can visit www.massmortgagehelp.org. }. If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. Note that the Tenant Application Code is different from their Case ID. We will use this information to improve this page. If you would like to speak with a foreclosure counselor regarding your options, a list of foreclosure counselors by region is available here. These deadlines were shared with MassLandlords and others by a state official over the March 25, 2021, stakeholder zoom. Log in or get access for as little as $3. Search Eviction Records by Address (Beta). RAFT can provide up to $10,000 per household within a 12-month period to help preserve current housing or move to new housing. Chinese and Khmer applications are not fillable at this time and need to be scanned. Step 3: Program staff will review your funds application and will contact you asking for further documentation, if needed. 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 helps all kinds of households by providing up to $10,000 per household, within a 12-month period, to help preserve current housing or move to new housing. A RAFT application was the primary way to access the safety net for the COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts. This could be in the form of emergency rent assistance to avoid eviction (or help paying rent going forward, if the family applying is in search of housing or has already been evicted). Please limit your input to 500 characters. RAFT can provide up to $10,000 per household within a 12-month period to help preserve current housing or move to new housing. Some page levels are currently hidden. 6 Institute RoadWorcester, MA 01609 > Google Mapsphone: (508) 752-5519fax: (508) 752-5009, Staff Web MailSecure Delivery LoginSystem StatusHope for Housing Login, WALK photography by Joe Santa Maria - Kill the Ball Media. Click here for Applicant Portal First Time Home Buyers who currently live in one of these communities may be eligible for a Home Read More Low-income tenants may be eligible to receive help with paying their rent through the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and regional administering agencies. Either a landlord or a tenant may begin the RAFT application process by going to the existing landing page. You do not need to immediately leave your apartment. Can a renter get RAFT directly and then not give it to the landlord? Renters or landlords can apply by submitting an online application. If a family is determined to be ineligible for benefits, they may reapply after 30 days. Click below for a step-by-step guide on how to apply for the RAFT program: For additional RAFT application resources for tenants and landlords, please read our blog post here. Once someone receives initial approval, they can complete an application. Other landlords, especially mom and pops who rely on rental income for their livelihood, are simply not in the position of Winton Corp to wait several months to find out if assistance from RAFT will cover back rent owed. If you need assistance submitting an application or required documents through this portal, please refer to the corresponding document that is linked below. These twelve organizations process RAFT applications, request additional documentation as needed, and administer RAFT benefits (directly to the landlord or utility provider). Landlords can apply for RAFT! Initially, families accessing RAFT funds received between $1,500 and $3,000 as a one-time payment, according to literature published by Metro Housing Boston. new google.translate.TranslateElement({pageLanguage: 'en', includedLanguages : 'sq,am,ar,zh-CN,zh-TW,fr,de,es,ht,it,km,fa,pt,ru,so,sw,vi', layout: google.translate.TranslateElement.InlineLayout.SIMPLE}, 'google_translate_element'); Landlords should also check general income eligibility for programs. LANDLORD JOURNEYS: Understand what to expect when you or your tenant applies for emergency housing payment assistance. Renters or landlords can apply by submitting an online application. RAFT provides short-term financial assistance to low-income families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. They may also drop off the applications at our offices between the hours of 9:00 AM 3:00 PM. Submitted lets the landlord or tenant know that the application has been submitted but is still waiting for the other party to match with the application using the specialized code. It is very important landlords coordinate with tenants before they apply for rental assistance. The RAFT COVID program is very new and RAFT administrators are flooded with applications as households struggle with job and income losses. First, according to mass.gov, families must be homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. For more guidance on how to apply and create a landlord profile, please utilize this reference guide: Housing Assistance Application Reference Guide (mass.gov), For a list of landlords/property owners Frequently Asked Questions, visit: Landlord FAQs download (mass.gov), For other resources, including recordings of webinars about Landlord/Property Owner RAFT Application Portal, visit: RAFT Public Resource and Training Portal | Mass.gov. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies RAFT helps all kinds of households by providing up to $10,000 per household, within a 12-month period, to help preserve current housing or move to new housing. Applications received by April 15th, 2022 will be considered for ERAP until all funds have been allocated. On December 12, 2022, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) launched a new online application portal for tenants and landlords to submit RAFT applications and required documents. We will use this information to improve this page. The time between submitting a RAFT application and receiving a RAFT award or denial varies. It will take between four and seven weeks to process all applications. While many of the special protections for homeowners impacted by COVID-19 are no longer in effect, owner-occupants of 1-4 family properties still may be able to seek relief. RAFT provides qualifying households with maximum benefit limit of $10,000 per household in a 12-month period. If you need assistance, please contact the Housing and Community Development. Homeowners in need of mortgage assistance or other housing assistance may apply for the new Homeowner Assistance Fund (MA HAF) Program. Jog I5N7=Ziph2IaL)"Q LA01A Website Design by Compete Now. RAFT can assist families with emergency rental situations, but it lacks the long-term stability of permanent rental subsidies. ***Your account must have info entered for the Payee, Properties, and Payment Methods sections on your profile before you can apply. Thank you! If both parties are amenable to changing the agreement, the tenant would not have to reapply, butthey would need to executea new agreement. Alandlord's refusal to accept emergency rental assistance,thatcoversthe entire amount owed to the landlord,may,in some circumstances,constitute a violation of Chapter 151B. You can also use the eligibility checker toolhere to see if you might be eligible for RAFT. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. Program funds can be used for housing-related expenses only. RAFT gives short-term financial assistance to low-income families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. RAFT helps all kinds of households by providing up to $10,000, within a 12-month period, to help preserve current housing or move to new housing. It will include enhanced features expected to create a more user-friendly experience and increase processing efficiency. You can find information of HAFhereorcall 2-1-1 for more information. Please let us know how we can improve this page. Community mediation and free or low-cost legal assistance for eligible parties can help landlords work with tenants to avoid eviction. "We received around by around $15 million. The same might apply to a landlord who initiated or continued eviction while a RAFT application is pending. The RAFT COVID program is an enhancement to the regular 15-year-old RAFT program, which provides up to $4,000 for eligible households to pay for rent, mortgage, utilities or moving expenses. If your renters are in a tough spot, it is worth checking to see if RAFT funds are available and if your renters qualify. If your tenant has not previously applied for rental assistance, start an application by asking for your tenant to sign the required consent form that is available through the regional agency. Additional documentation that backs up the applicants claim for needing funding may also be required. Are your tenants behind on rent? Families must meet income guidelines as well: as of April 16, 2022, this was 50% of Area Median Income (AMI), or 60% of AMI for those at risk of domestic violence. Tenant income eligibility limit forassistanceis 50%of the Area Median Income(AMI), or 60% of AMI for households who are at risk of domestic violence. RAFT is a one-time or as-needed subsidy currently in vogue, with none of the long-term stabilizing power of permanent rental subsidy, but with more responsive application timeframes. Podemos ayudar. It is important to submit a complete application for RAFT to receive support quickly. )0OP[S{ ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. Other funding would need to be lined up first. States that did not use all of the federal money they were allocated were at risk of having that money "clawed back" by the U.S. Treasury. The final four steps are pending final approval, approved pending payment and then approved or denied. Tenants will be able to see why their application was denied. 24th Annual Mulligan Tournament Friday, June 9th, 2023 8:00AM Purchase Tickets and Sponsorships RAFT For Tenants, Landlords & Utilities Important Rental Assistance Update New RAFT Applicant? 172. The program Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) has, in less than a year, ramped up to be the preeminent (and movingly named) housing stabilization service of the pandemic. However, applications received after Aug. 1, 2022, will only be considered if the applicant has received a notice to quit, eviction notice or court summons related to rent arrears. Landlords will be able to log in and see all applications for their properties at once, as well as check application statuses in real time. Both the RAFT and RAFT COVID programs are using a new application launched on October 19 (the first day of business after the states eviction moratorium expiration), which features: As part of the RAFT COVID application and in order to receive RAFT funding in excess of the traditional $4,000, up to $10,000 a landlord must agree not to evict, for nonpayment, a tenant who has received program funding for six months, or, in the case of a family with school-aged children, through June 2021, whichever date is later. Your email address will not be published. Eventually, that number increased, and families were able to access up to $4,000 in funds, with the possibility of reapplying after 12 months if they needed additional assistance. (781) 581-8600, Hours The landlord contacted VLP to seek legal advice. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. Some page levels are currently hidden. For households applying to RAFT for assistance with rent arrears, a Notice to Quit or eviction notice/court summons is now required. If you need assistance, please contact the Housing and Community Development. Homeowners may be eligible for mortgage or other assistance under the states Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF). Because the eligibility standards for this program are evolving, tenants who may not have previously been eligible for RAFT are encouraged to re-apply. Forgiveness of arrearages or acceptance of reduced rent are not program requirements. Sue McMahon, a property manager for Winton Corp, a large rental complex in West Springfield, has been waiting months since summer in one case for word on RAFT applications for three of her tenants. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. The administering agency could require a handrail to be installed, even though this would cause the landlord to lose money on the Section 8 rental compared to a market rental, which would not necessarily trigger enforcement of that part of the code (ignoring, for the sake of argument, that the handrail should be provided regardless of an inspection). The RAFT Program is a homelessness prevention program funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent. by Nomer Caceres. Outcome: Landlord's mother has an extended order of protection to protect her from the tenant, the court ordered the tenant to permit access so repairs could be made and landlord received one year's rent arrearage from the RAFT program. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. Charlie Baker recently announced $100 million . RAFT does not serve homeowners. The onus is on the landlord to report a move-out to the Regional Administering Agency. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent costs, as well as forward rent in limited situations. Boston, MA 02120-3401 Better Policy. RAFT provides qualifying households with up to $10,000 per household in a 12-month period to preserve current housing or move to new housing. One way of proving eligibility can be by providing a months worth of pay stubs, or self-certification that this source of income is gone. If your income can be verified with government databases, you will not have to submit any additional income documentation. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent costs, as well as future rent in limited situations. In other words, no, your tenant did not just keep their RAFT funds. Its possible that this legally linguistic contradiction may not be addressed until litigation is brought forth. Landlords can apply directly for rental assistance on behalf of eligible residents. 1411 Tremont Street Lynn, MA 01902 RAFT helps all kinds of households by providing up to $10,000, within a 12-month period, to help preserve current housing or move to new housing. Landlords can apply directly for rental assistance on behalf of eligible tenants. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Wednesday 8 AM 4 PM Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Boston is approximately $1,927 (taken from a combination of averages calculated by listing rental agencies Zumper and apartmentlist.com). For more information about how to apply, please visit our landlord page. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. Community-based organizations will also get training in how to use the new portal. :If your tenant has already submitted an application for rental assistance, please do not reapply. In case you cannot afford counsel, a provision of the governors Eviction Diversion Initiative set aside funds to help provide legal counsel to people who could not afford representation (a sizable percentage of mom-and-pop landlords). Homeowners may be eligible for assistance through the Homeowners Assistance Fund. As discussed earlier, families who receive RAFT funding can use that money for a variety of purposes to avoid becoming homeless or to find housing if they are currently homeless. We also have RAFT Application walk in hours on Tuesday and Friday 9:30am-11:30am and Wednesday 1:00-3:00pm. Note that you as the landlord must provide information for the RAFT application. Applicants who have not already done so will be prompted to create a new profile and account. Better Lives. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. During(or after)the RAFT benefit period, the tenant violates a lease clause that is unrelated to payment of rent. Our staff will call back to assist you in the order your message was received. For households submitting applications on or after 8/1/2022, a Notice to Quit or eviction notice/court summons is required to receive assistance for overdue rent. Please limit your input to 500 characters. However, there is a $10,000 cap in funding, and any money that a family has received from RAFT counts towards that. No, the agreement signed by the tenant and landlordremainsin effectfor its stated term,unless the parties agree to amend it. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Massachusetts' Rental Assistance for Families in Transition program, or RAFT, offers funds for eligible households facing eviction, loss of utilities or other housing . A lock icon ( They may be eligible for assistance from the state that will send rent payments directly to you, the landlord. The best way to apply is online. You must have your application number in order to submit documents or to determine which agency is processing your application. It can provide funds for the same housing-related expenses that RAFT covers. c. 151B s. 4 states that it is an unlawful practice: For any person furnishing credit, services or rental accommodations to discriminate against any individual who is a recipient of federal, state, or local public assistance, including medical assistance, or who is a tenant receiving federal, state, or local housing subsidies, including rental assistance or rental supplements, because the individual is such a recipient, or because of any requirement of such public assistance, rental assistance, or housing subsidy program.. During(or after)the RAFT benefit period, the tenant does notmeet themonthly rent payment obligationthat is stated in the agreement. Discrimination by a landlord is prohibited. A lawyer can help advise you before a case gets to court or if a case is in court. Under review tells the landlord or tenant that the application portions have been matched up, and it is being reviewed for eligibility. Updated April 14th, 2023 This would seem to suggest that RAFT can be refused when it does not fully cover arrears. The earlier you contact a lawyer the better. Work with your renters to provide your part of the information as soon as requested. Please do not include personal or contact information. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Maximum arrears are $44,615.). RAFT became the primary housing safety net during COVID-19. Your support is critical to help alleviate and prevent the impact of homelessness in Boston. Apply here Already applied? Landlords should consult their own legal counsel for advice before declining rental assistance that covers all outstanding rent arrears. Applicationsfor rental assistance received after April 15th will be considered for assistance under the more targeted state-fundedResidential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program, subject to fundingavailability. Landlords of any size may now apply for emergency rental assistance on behalf of their tenants. hV\YZ^c3p*p #? Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Applying for Rental Assistance in Massachusetts to Avoid Eviction, contact the Housing and Community Development. (MassLandlords data, compiled through a rent survey as part of the Individual Claims Council initiative, shows that average arrears are $4,169 among 59 respondents, representing 765 rental units. ^ZdS&6mBHp0p12!BB:)0**Xi"3()x*X)jS]II5z All Rights Reserved. You skipped the table of contents section. The application will also require property owner documents if requesting arrears or start-up costs. Open the email and click on the link provided to create your Landlord application. fhousing@lhand.org You can check AMI limits in your city/town here. Presentation: RAFT (How to Apply on behalf of Renters), DHCD Announces New RAFT Application Portal Pilot Began Nov. 14, literature published by Metro Housing Boston, Housing Assistance Corporation RAFT Application, Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority RAFT Application, Berkshire Housing Development Corporation RAFT Application, Information for landlords on emergency housing assistance, Find your regional agency and income eligibility, The Housing Assistance Application Reference Guide, Statewide Rental Real Estate Networking and Training, Community Teamwork RAFT Application for North Shore, Lowell, Lawrence link coming soon, South Middlesex Opportunity Council RAFT Application for MetroWest link coming soon. They can also provide a copy of their application for unemployment insurance, documentation of loss of insurance or documentation of the death of a household member who contributed to the households income. Also, the MassLandlords Helpline is a valuable resource for business advice and legal information. The North Shore Housing Action Group (NSHAG) is financial assistance program that specifically focuses on the needs of 18-24 year olds that are experiencing housing Landlord/Property Owner Portal Reference Guide, MA Emergency Housing Payment Assistance Portal (mass.gov), Housing Assistance Application Reference Guide (mass.gov), RAFT Public Resource and Training Portal | Mass.gov. Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Applying for Rental Assistance in Massachusetts to Avoid Eviction, online through the Commonwealths Central Application, contact the Housing and Community Development, Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program. If the landlord accepts, they forfeit the right to evict for six months or until June 2021. Gov. Use this button to show and access all levels. oSSx3xg=]z3|3|1Y|L8fu?|O>w~>~~o>j~Vc~_yw|yw/k7w/xwq&-Gd[WW? Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT). Once submitted, applications cannot be edited, but additional documents can be attached if necessary. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. So far it has generously covered over $50 million in rent arrears and going forward stipends. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, Information for landlords on emergency housing assistance, is, Information for landlords on emergency housing assistance. To check which agency is processing your application, visit theCentral Application Portaland click Application Information. You can also use the Central Application Portal to upload additional documents after your application is submitted. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. Even if that tenant began paying full rent again in September, they would have tallied $11,562 in rent arrearages. Administrators will also look at why the family is homeless or at risk of becoming so. Please let us know how we can improve this page. If your tenant is behind on the rent - or . MassLandlords has sought clarification on the likelihood of litigation of the RAFT COVID provisions optionality, in correspondence with the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD), and the state Attorney Generals office. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state, Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) Program. Mass. To begin the landlord/property owner application process, you must first register an account as a new user if you have not already done so here: User Registration (mass.gov). If the tenant is the one applying, the application will ask them for their landlords contact information (email or phone number). Toll-Free: 800.272.0990 Funded by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), RAFT is described as a homelessness prevention program[that] provides short-term financial assistance to low-income families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. In other words, it is flexible funding that can be used for a variety of housing-related expenses, depending on the needs of the individual family. If an individual needs assistance in completing their form, mass.gov reports that the regional agencies can provide help. To view all of this presentation, you must be logged with webinar access. Subsidies resulting from RAFT applications during the COVID-19 pandemic were capped at 15 months total benefit. Please let us know how we can improve this page. RAFT sends payments to your landlord or mortgage company. The requirement of only one set of signatures; Reduced documentation requirements for household identification new income verification processes will allow for automatic data matching with DTA, MassHealth, or DOR (UIOnline and WageMatch). Of the approximately $400 million allocated to Massachusetts in the March 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), 50% had to be spent by March 2022 to avoid clawback. DHCD's federally funded Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) and Subsidized Housing Emergency Rental Assistance (SHERA) stopped taking new applications on April 15, 2022. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. If a family is eligible at this point, they must prove that the assistance they receive from RAFT will stabilize the current housing situation. In other words, a family applying for RAFT must show that after the funds are applied, they have enough income to either obtain new housing, remain in their current housing or otherwise avoid homelessness. MassLandlords interprets this to mean that a family who was facing eviction could, for example, obtain RAFT funding to get current on their rent and remain in housing, rent a new place, or use the money to pay court-ordered debts and then move in with family.
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