Log in or get access for as little as $3. If you need assistance, please contact the Housing and Community Development. No eviction action was filed. Please limit your input to 500 characters. If a family is determined to be ineligible for benefits, they may reapply after 30 days. Your email address will not be published. As of April 16, 2022, the state also allowed for partial payments on behalf of the primary tenant to the landlord or utility company, for those entering co-housing situations. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Search Eviction Records by Address (Beta). For more information on the federal ERAP, SHERA, and ERMA programs, please visit this page. The program can also be used to help families who are already homeless pay for necessary costs to get into a house or apartment. We also have RAFT Application walk in hours on Tuesday and Friday 9:30am-11:30am and Wednesday 1:00-3:00pm. For households applying to RAFT for assistance with rent arrears, a Notice to Quit or eviction notice/court summons is now required. 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). Before you begin your application, be sure you have the following documents ready to upload: ID for Head of Household (expired or international forms of ID are acceptable), Verification of current housing (example: your current lease or rental agreement), Verification of eligible housing crisis and arrears (examples: a Notice to Quit from your landlord; eviction notice; or documentation showing an inability to stay in your current home due to health, safety, or other reasons). MassachusettsCommunity Mediation Centersare offering free pre-courtmediationbetweenlandlords and tenants for lease disputesin addition to the summary process cases referred through the courts. ***Your account must have info entered for the Payee, Properties, and Payment Methods sections on your profile before you can apply. LANDLORD JOURNEYS: Understand what to expect when you or your tenant applies for emergency housing payment assistance. If approved for RAFT, funds will be. For more information about how to apply, please visit our landlord page. Please limit your input to 500 characters. It is important to submit a complete application for RAFT to receive support quickly. A lock icon ( If youbelieve your tenant may be eligible for rental assistance, you should: Here is the information and documentation you need to provide: Tenant consent form: All adult household members must signtenant consent form, Landlord information: Address and contact Information, Reason for Application: Include documentation of housing crisis. There are two additional tools for landlords and tenants to prevent an eviction. Landlords can apply directly for rental assistance on behalf of eligible tenants. :If your tenanthas notapplied, startan application by asking for yourtenant to sign the required consentform that is available through theregional agency. John Fisher, author of the Massachusetts Rental Owners Property Management Manual, said that RAFT regional agencies make direct payments to participating vendors (meaning landlords, utility companies, etc.). The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. To apply to Mass HAF, visit www.massmortgagehelp.org. If you are unable to assist your client in completing the online application, printable applications can be found below. Starting Nov. 14, landlords or tenants in these areas were able to file new RAFT applications through the portal. Find out whether your tenant has already submitted an application for rental assistance. Open to all. The tenant does not receive funding directly. RAFT and ERMA are Massachusetts programs that provide financial assistance to eligible households facing a housing crisis, and can be used for things like paying rent in the future, paying rent owed (overdue rent or "arrears"), or for some other housing-related costs. For more information, visit the states RAFT guidance page. However, if you are unable to complete the application online, please emailhc@cmhaonline.orgor call508-752-5519, ext. Work with your renters to provide your part of the information as soon as requested. Thank you for your website feedback! 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. If your tenant created an application already, you should receive a landlord invitation email. Monthly updates, smart and relevant articles, and free premium content. The two pilot regions are Way Finders in the Greater Springfield region and the Housing Assistance Corporation, serving Cape Cod and the islands. Section 8 is a housing subsidy, and RAFT is meant to be a short-term cash infusion to help families in a temporary difficult spot.