While many of the special protections for homeowners impacted by COVID-19 are no longer in effect, owner-occupants of 1-4 family properties still may be able to seek relief. MassachusettsCommunity Mediation Centersare offering free pre-courtmediationbetweenlandlords and tenants for lease disputesin addition to the summary process cases referred through the courts. Community-based organizations will also get training in how to use the new portal. Your support is critical to help alleviate and prevent the impact of homelessness in Boston. Monthly updates, smart and relevant articles, and free premium content. Once a landlord/property owner has an account, you can apply here: MA Emergency Housing Payment Assistance Portal (mass.gov) If your tenant has already completed their application at the time you are submitting the landlord application, be sure to include the Tenant Application Code that you received in your email. Households that already receive income-based rental subsides are ineligible for prospective payments, and payments may not exceed the maximum benefit limit. If all the required documents are uploaded, the CM will not need to contact the applicant and will instead contact the referring agency. The same might apply to a landlord who initiated or continued eviction while a RAFT application is pending. 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). 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. Landlords must obtain and submit a signed tenant consent form before applying for assistance. This could include families who are facing eviction. If the tenant is the one applying, the application will ask them for their landlords contact information (email or phone number). Homeowners in need of mortgage assistance or other housing assistance may apply for the new Homeowner Assistance Fund (MA HAF) Program. The CM will sometimes follow up directly with the family with clarifying questions. Image: CC BY-SA Pixabay. A map of DHCDs regional administering agencies throughout the state with names in key.CC-BY SA 4.0 MassLandlords. Prior to COVID-19, RAFT monies were only awarded if the applicant could demonstrate a way to remain in housing after the RAFT funds has been expended. RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition) is a state-funded homelessness prevention program. Program funds can be used for housing-related expenses only. If you need assistance, please contact the Housing and Community Development. endstream endobj 2599 0 obj <>stream If a tenant does not have an email address or access to a computer, they can still go to their regional administering agency (RAA). For instance, prospective rent payments are capped at one month's payment, as long as the household communicates this need on the application or to the person processing the application. We will use this information to improve this page. Use this button to show and access all levels. Once it launches statewide, the portal will be available in eight languages. A RAFT application was the primary way to access the safety net for the COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts. The largest non-profit for owners and managers of Massachusetts residential real estate. [email protected] Please limit your input to 500 characters. 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. Step 3: Program staff will review your funds application and will contact you asking for further documentation, if needed. Under the current system, landlords applying on behalf of their tenants must include a signed tenant consent form, but the dual nature of the new portal application removes the need for this. A lock icon ( The program can also be used to help families who are already homeless pay for necessary costs to get into a house or apartment. Each assistance application will have two parts, one for landlords and one for tenants. Please do not include personal or contact information. 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. 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? The RAFT COVID program is presented as an option to landlords, who may, according to its language, decide whether or not to accept the funding in excess of $4,000. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Visit this page to understand what to expect when you or your tenant applies for emergency housing payment assistance. This included applications received prior to that date that were not processed until after the first. We will use this information to improve this page. (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. If additional income documentation is needed, the organization processing your RAFT application will reach out to you to request it. 1411 Tremont Street Those administering the screening have some discretion in determining eligibility based on the tool. However, if COVID RAFT is mandatory and must be accepted for eligible renters, it presents a serious financial hardship for some owners who are not in position to forgive arrears or forswear termination. Landlords should consult their own legal counsel for advice before declining rental assistance that covers all outstanding rent arrears. Landlords can apply directly for rental assistance on behalf of eligible residents. RAFT can assist families with emergency rental situations, but it lacks the long-term stability of permanent rental subsidies. Homeowners may access mortgage and other assistance through the federal Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF). I have one tenant who applied [to RAFT] and didnt receive a call back at all, she said. Or acceptance of reduced rent for the period of the agreement? Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. We also have RAFT Application walk in hours on Tuesday and Friday 9:30am-11:30am and Wednesday 1:00-3:00pm. Jog I5N7=Ziph2IaL)"Q LA01A RAFT helps all kinds of households by providing up to $10,000 per household to help preserve current housing or move to new housing. It is very important landlords coordinate with tenants before they apply for rental assistance. We will use this information to improve this page. The Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program may provide income-eligible households with up to $10,000 to pay utilities or moving costs, overdue rent, or future rent in limited situations, and once approved, these payments are sent directly to landlords. Open to all. Households can still apply for rental assistance from the more targeted, state-funded Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program. CC BY-SA 4.0 MassLandlords. Therefore, going through a regional Housing Consumer Education Center to complete an intake assessment is the first step to accessing RAFT funding. For information on how to request assistance, please clickhere. hV\YZ^c3p*p #? They will also be able to register multiple properties under one profile, as long as all of the properties have the same tax identification number. 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). Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Applying for Rental Assistance in Massachusetts to Avoid Eviction, contact the Housing and Community Development. Say a tenant has applied for RAFT, but the landlord, unable to wait, starts eviction before receiving RAFT response. You skipped the table of contents section. During COVID-19, the sustainability requirement was removed (Jan. 11, 2021), and then after it was reinstated. Otherwise the CM will follow up with the property owner and possibly slow the approval process. This additional funding program had slightly different eligibility standards than the regular RAFT program, and was used for mortgage foreclosures and loss of utilities, not just evictions. The RAFT program is open to all types of landlords, including private landlords, non-profit landlords, and government landlords. The landlord contacted VLP to seek legal advice. Mediation is a confidential, voluntary and non-judgmental process where a neutral third party (the mediator) helps people resolve differences based on what is important to them. Does it matter whether RAFT COVID would cure or not? Thank you for your website feedback! Residential Assistance for Families in Transition could pay for moving costs, paying owed rent or utilities, security deposits or first/last months rent, among other uses. The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) announced the pilot program for its new application portal for the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT). Log in or join today and gain access all presentations and videos. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. HomeBASE is a program for families who are experiencing homelessness and are living in shelters. Log in or get access for as little as $3. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent. 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). 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. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, How Landlords Can Apply for RAFT, is, Upload Documents or Check Application Information, Call Massachusetts 2-1-1, Informational and referral hotline at, Landlords must obtain and submit asigned tenant consent form beforeapplying for assistance., determineincome eligibility for themetro area of your property. Housing verification (Examples: a lease, tenancy agreement, or tenancy at will agreement) Proof of Identity of the property owner. If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. *2 If your application is missing required information or documentation, staff from your local RAA will reach out to you to complete the application, which will add to the processing time for your application. If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, Frequently Asked Questions for Landlords about Accepting State Funded Rental Assistance, is, Frequently Asked Questions for Landlords about Accepting State Funded Rental Assistance. Furniture. Contact the Volunteer Lawyers Project for more information. You can find more information on RAFT and other housing resources by dialing 2-1-1, contacting your local Housing Consumer Education Center(HCEC), or at the following links: Emergency Housing Payment Assistance during COVID-19, Report fraud, waste, or abuse of the RAFT program, Please listen for phone menu options for DHCD divisions. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. Prior to state and federal expansion during COVID-19, a family more than $4,000 in arrears with their landlord would have a hard time using RAFT funding to stave off eviction. LANDLORD JOURNEYS: Understand what to expect when you or your tenant applies for emergency housing payment assistance. Homeowners may be eligible for mortgage or other assistance under the states Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF). If you think RAFT could help your renter and you apply on their behalf, you will need to provide their email address. If an individual needs assistance in completing their form, mass.gov reports that the regional agencies can provide help. Why would a landlord be required to accept less than full rent for a tenant who receives RAFT? 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. Some page levels are currently hidden. A lock icon ( This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT). 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. RAFT funds could go towards paying a security deposit, first/last months rent, even furniture, though there are caps on how much RAFT money can be used for those purchases. IMPORTANT: If you have multiple tenants completing applications, please make sure to respond to EACH landlord invitation email. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. It will take between four and seven weeks to process all applications. Proceed with caution: opting out of RAFT COVID funding could render landlords vulnerable to discrimination litigation. Find out more about HAF here. 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. The short answer is: No. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. Owners, managers, and service providers sustain our nonprofit trade association with membership dues. Better Communities. Please do not include personal or contact information. The administration announced the RAFT COVID program in October as part of its $171 million Eviction Diversion Initiative. oSSx3xg=]z3|3|1Y|L8fu?|O>w~>~~o>j~Vc~_yw|yw/k7w/xwq&-Gd[WW? The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. The program can also be used to help families who are already homeless pay for necessary costs to get into a house or apartment. You can check AMI limits in your city/town here. Residents can call 702-229-5935 if they are facing an eviction or need help applying for the RAFT program Monday-Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Boston, MA 02120-3401 Email to [email protected]. Imagine, for example, a Boston tenant who stopped paying rent in March. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. 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. 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. Renters or landlords can apply by submitting an online application. Please wait at least 10 business days before calling to check on your application. The state officially adopted the program in 2006, and since then, RAFT funding has continually gone up, with funding for the 2019 fiscal year hitting $20 million. If you do not provide the required information within two weeks, your application will be timed out. It is very important to submit a complete application. A lawyer can help advise you before a case gets to court or if a case is in court. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program, is. For greater efficiency, these documents should be submitted with the referral. Suppose an inspection finds that a handrail is needed on a staircase. If the landlord accepts, they forfeit the right to evict for six months or until June 2021. 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. Website Design by Compete Now. Learn about rental assistance programs available to eligible tenants. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. The largest non-profit for owners and managers of Massachusetts residential real estate. 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. Thank you for your website feedback! You must have your application number in order to submit documents or to determine which agency is processing your application. The program started Nov. 14 in two regions, with statewide rollout expected sometime in mid-December. RAFT was first piloted in 2005, with a budget of $2 million for that first year. Therefore, landlords in these situations might opt not to accept the RAFT COVID extension beyond $4,000 for their tenants, in order to retain the right to evict and find new tenants. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. A landlord who accepts RAFTfundingdoes not losethe ability to file for eviction due tolease violations that may occur in the future. The system will automatically match the codes and bring the two parts together. The federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) stopped accepting applications on April 15, 2022. Landlords can apply directly for rental assistance on behalf of eligible residents. 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. . 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. 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. Please visit. For Landlords. Please let us know how we can improve this page. A lock icon ( Please do not include personal or contact information. 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'); Community mediation and free or low-cost legal assistance for eligible parties can help landlords work with tenants to avoid eviction. But considering the language in discrimination law 151B, theres too much risk and vulnerability for discrimination liability to take that step hastily. The RAFT COVID programs stated optionality may leave landlords who opt out exposed to litigation. )0OP[S{ This funding source no longer matters. 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. The earlier you contact a lawyer the better. Work with your renters to provide your part of the information as soon as requested. . RAFT is administered by eleven Regional Administering Agencies (RAAs) as well as the Rental Assistance Processing (RAP) Center operated by Nan McKay and Associates (NMA). The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. A tenant who is late on rent could sign up for the program, receive funds, and use it to put down a security deposit on another housing unit elsewhere. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. A landlords refusal to accept emergency rental assistance, that covers the entire amount owed to the landlord, may, in some circumstances, constitute a violation of Chapter 151B.
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