This funding source no longer matters. Household must provide documentation/proof that they are currently experiencing a housing crisis: Utility arrearages (with utility shut off/termination notice). 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. Frequently Asked Questions for Landlords about Accepting State Funded . Landlords can begin the application process . An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program, is. hV\YZ^c3p*p #? If the landlord accepts, they forfeit the right to evict for six months or until June 2021. Chinese and Khmer applications are not fillable at this time and need to be scanned. A Notice to Quit is NOT an eviction. The new application portal is designed to replace the current central application process. RAFT - Lynn Housing Authority }. A step-by-step guide on how to apply for RAFT is available here. For more information on the federal ERAP, SHERA, and ERMA programs, please visit this page. Community-based organizations will also get training in how to use the new portal. 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. 3. Se enfrenta al desalojo? These deadlines were shared with MassLandlords and others by a state official over the March 25, 2021, stakeholder zoom. This included applications received prior to that date that were not processed until after the first. RAFT was first piloted in 2005, with a budget of $2 million for that first year. After the end of the RAFT benefit period, the tenant does not payrentor otherwise violates the lease. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Maximum arrears are $44,615.). 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. 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. C( QA%TD2*HTpA2EVHST0 QHH-W$2PgAEVA A lock icon ( Your support is critical to help alleviate and prevent the impact of homelessness in Boston. Its possible that this legally linguistic contradiction may not be addressed until litigation is brought forth. TheVolunteer Lawyers Projectassists low-income owners of 1-4 family homes with referrals, legal information, and legal representation for COVID-related evictions statewide in Housing Court. I have one tenant who applied [to RAFT] and didnt receive a call back at all, she said. 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). 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. Please do not include personal or contact information. 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. Please limit your input to 500 characters. HomeBASE is a program for families who are experiencing homelessness and are living in shelters. Our assessment is that claims are less likely where RAFT would not fully cover arrears and future shortfall, but more likely where RAFT would. Not submitted means an application has been started, but not completed and turned in. Thank you for your website feedback! Each assistance application will have two parts, one for landlords and one for tenants. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. Required fields are marked *. Homeowners in need of mortgage assistance or other housing assistance may apply for the new Homeowner Assistance Fund (MA HAF) Program. The RAFT program helps families secure and maintain stable housing by providing them with a rent subsidy, case management services, and support services. The RAFT COVID program is very new and RAFT administrators are flooded with applications as households struggle with job and income losses. Join us! Your email address will not be published. Toll-Free: 800.272.0990 A Landlords Guide to Massachusetts Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) Program, Search Eviction Records by Address (Beta), Webinar: Rental Assistance Application Process RAFT ERMA. The system will automatically match the codes and bring the two parts together. If you think RAFT could help your renter and you apply on their behalf, you will need to provide their email address. Landlords will see it was denied but will not be given tenants private information. The intake form does not need to be completed in person, however. Please let us know how we can improve this page. Renters or landlords can apply by submitting an online application. )0OP[S{ The landlord contacted VLP to seek legal advice. General Law 151B, the states discrimination law, bars discriminating against anyone receiving public assistance, including rental assistance. The answer is no, RAFT funding can be spent on any housing needs that will keep someone from becoming homeless. A Landlord's Guide to Massachusetts' Residential Assistance for contact the Housing and Community Development. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. . However, Fisher went on, there doesn't appear to be any language to the effect that an existing landlord with an arrearage would have any priority over a successor landlord if the tenant chose to move into a new property. MassachusettsCommunity Mediation Centersare offering free pre-courtmediationbetweenlandlords and tenants for lease disputesin addition to the summary process cases referred through the courts. %PDF-1.6 % Rent Relief, Utility Arrears, and Eviction Prevention Please limit your input to 500 characters. Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) Funds Still Available Please let us know how we can improve this page. You can find more information below. The onus is on the landlord to report a move-out to the Regional Administering Agency. 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. Our staff will call back to assist you in the order your message was received. For households applying to RAFT for assistance with rent arrears, a notice to quit or eviction notice/court summons is now required. 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. Posted in News - 0 Comments. They were eligible to reapply after that time, but had to wait 12 months from their first received payment. 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. 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.. Tuesday 8 AM 7 PM Both programs can be used in coordination with short-term rental assistance such as RAFT or local sources of financial aid, but it is not necessary to apply for RAFT in order to participate. 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. Even if that tenant began paying full rent again in September, they would have tallied $11,562 in rent arrearages. :If your tenant has already submitted an application for rental assistance, please do not reapply. You can find information of HAFhereorcall 2-1-1 for more information. If your renters are in a tough spot, it is worth checking to see if RAFT funds are available and if your renters qualify. Once someone receives initial approval, they can complete an application. To learn more about eligibility, resources, and applying, homeowners can visit www.massmortgagehelp.org. Is RAFT COVID $10k Optional for Landlords? - MassLandlords.net 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. The RAFT COVID programs stated optionality may leave landlords who opt out exposed to litigation. LAS VEGAS (KSNV) The City of Las Vegas is taking applications once again for its newly re-funded Rental Assistance for Tenants (RAFT) program. 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. Program funds can be used for housing-related expenses only. Monday 8 AM 4 PM If you are facing imminent foreclosure within the next 7 days, the Massachusetts Division of Banks may be able to help by reaching out to your mortgage servicer to grant an extra 60 days to work out an alternative to foreclosure. Log in or join today and gain access all presentations and videos. As a result, response times are delayed, rental assistance payments can take months, and it may be a difficult time to obtain information from administrators. Section 8 requires an inspection, to certify a rental units health and safety suitability. 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. 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.. Landlords can apply directly for rental assistance on behalf of eligible residents. If you have already submitted an application, you can use this portal to upload additional documents and see which RAA is processing your application: If you are unable to upload additional documents to the portal, you may also provide them in ONE of the following ways: Please include the applicants name and Application ID# on all documents. Landlord Advocacy - Volunteer Lawyers Project A lawyer can help advise you before a case gets to court or if a case is in court. If you need assistance, please contact the Housing and Community Development. Please wait at least 10 business days before calling to check on your application. 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. Renters or landlords can apply by submitting an online application. 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. Better Policy. endstream endobj 2599 0 obj <>stream Landlords of any size may now apply for emergency rental assistance on behalf of their tenants. More information is available here, or you can go to https://hedfuel.azurewebsites.net/ to find a legal aid program near you. Community mediation and free or low-cost legal assistance for eligible parties can help landlords work with tenants to avoid eviction. A lock icon ( They may also drop off the applications at our offices between the hours of 9:00 AM 3:00 PM. 2021 Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development. Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Applying for Rental Assistance in Massachusetts to Avoid Eviction, Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program. 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. . The wait time in some cases has been months.. . Note that the Tenant Application Code is different from their Case ID. The rental assistance agreementincludes the following line: If the Participant's tenancy is terminated prior to the period for which any monthly rental stipend payments were made, I agree to return the unused balance of said funds to the Agency.. 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. Upon application submission, you will be asked to provide: Signed W-9 in the name of the property owner, Housing verification (Examples: a lease, tenancy agreement, or tenancy at will agreement). 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. The process for referrals from partner agencies has several steps: For greatest efficiency and to ensure the swiftest process, please provide all required documents and explanation of the housing crisis. Please do not include personal or contact information. RAFT - Metro Housing Boston Landlord struggling because your tenant cant pay the rent? When calling, please leave your name, call back number and application number. If your tenant is behind on the rent - or expects they will be soon - tell them about this website. Applicants should complete all of the fields in the preferred-language application and with all of the required documents, they may mail them to Metro Housing|Boston, 1411 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02120. Please let us know how we can improve this page. For households applying to RAFT for assistance with rent arrears, a Notice to Quit or eviction notice/court summons is now required. by Nomer Caceres. Mass. Landlords and property managers will be able to create a profile on the portal with their W-9 and payment information. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. In 2020, this limit was increased to $10,000, but was decreased to $7,000 within a rolling 12-month period on Jan. 1, 2022. 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 ). We pointed out that RAFT has expanded to a point where it has become a primary safety net, and with that status it receives a high level of scrutiny similar to that of Section 8, the states Housing Choice Voucher Program, administered by DHCDs Division of Rental Assistance. If all the required documents are uploaded, the CM will not need to contact the applicant and will instead contact the referring agency. Suppose an inspection finds that a handrail is needed on a staircase. RAFT provides qualifying households with maximum benefit limit of $10,000 per household in a 12-month period. RAFT does not serve homeowners. If a family had used RAFT funds to stave off becoming homeless, but in the end were not able to remain in housing, they could see less HomeBASE funding later on. It is important that you complete your application to the best of your ability before submitting in order to receive an award or denial quickly. But if they are moving out, any number of circumstances could have kept those funds from being directed towards you. The following documentation is required to apply: The program can also be used to help families who are already homeless pay for necessary costs to get into a house or apartment. RAFT / ERMA - FAQ Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance RAFT - Community Teamwork Charlie Baker recently announced $100 million . A map of DHCDs regional administering agencies throughout the state with names in key.CC-BY SA 4.0 MassLandlords. Examples include, but are not limited to, Notice to Quit, courtsummons, utility shutoff notice., Name, DOB, sex, race, ethnicity and SSN (when available) forall adultmembers of the household, Identification for the head of household (Examples: photo id, license, birth certificate,passport), Rental information: Lease/tenancy agreement, amount of rent,amount of arrears, whether they have a rental subsidy, Household income (see more details here on income verification), W-9 from payee (landlord/property owner). The following documentation is required to apply: If you have questions regarding how to complete the application, please contact Metro Housings Housing Hub at 617-425-6700 or via e-mail at ResourceLine@MetroHousingBoston.org. Renters or landlords can apply by submitting an online application. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent, as well as future rent in limited situations. The maximum benefit cap for RAFT is $10,000 over a 12-month period. Please visit this link to learn more about HAF and to see if you may be eligible. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. 10 Church Street Families living in emergency shelters are not eligible for RAFT funds, and in theory, RAFT is the superior program, as the goal of the Commonwealth is to keep families out of shelters in the first place. You are entitled to a legal proceeding in which you can defend against an eviction. For greater efficiency, these documents should be submitted with the referral. (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. Applicants must meet certain criteria to be eligible for RAFT: Risk of homelessness/housing instability (example: applicant has received a Notice to Quit), Currently renting or moving to a new rental, Income at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI), or 60% of AMI for households who are at risk of domestic violence (you can check AMI in your city/town using this online tool). Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. Use this button to show and access all levels. Monthly updates, smart and relevant articles, and free premium content. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. 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 . 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 could delay the approval process. Is RAFT COVID $10k Optional for Landlords? . The application will also require property owner documents if requesting arrears or start-up costs. Imagine, for example, a Boston tenant who stopped paying rent in March. Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Applying for Rental Assistance in Massachusetts to Avoid Eviction, contact the Housing and Community Development. E-mail: info@metrohousingboston.org. Open the email and click on the link provided to create your Landlord application. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. Fair Housing Policies & Procedures | Privacy Policy, Lynn HOME-ARP Allocation Plan Community Forum Information. RAFT / HAF - For Landlords - Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent costs, as well as future rent in limited situations. Households can still apply for rental assistance from the more targeted, state-funded Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program. Also, the MassLandlords Helpline is a valuable resource for business advice and legal information. You can apply for RAFT online through the Commonwealths Central Application. 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. 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. G.L. ONLY a court order can force you to leave your apartment. 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. Be sure to provide contact information for your landlord/property owner in your RAFT application. 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. However, if you are unable to complete the application online, please emailhc@cmhaonline.orgor call508-752-5519, ext. The tenant may then file an answer and all tenant/landlord information is sent to the CHAP program and to Home Means Nevada, the administrator of the Eviction Mediation Program . Image: CC BY-SA Pixabay. Either a landlord or a tenant may begin the RAFT application process by going to the existing landing page. A list of regional agencies can be found at the Massachusetts Housing Consumer Education Centers site. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. 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. Those administering the screening have some discretion in determining eligibility based on the tool. Use this button to show and access all levels. Thank you for your website feedback! People applying for RAFT must do so in the region where they intend to use their RAFT benefits. Emergency Housing Payment Assistance (RAFT), Specialized Intensive Programs & Services (SIPS), Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), Massachussets Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), Please complete and submit your application for financial assistance, Rental Relief, Utility Arrears & Eviction Prevention, At this time, the MA Emergency Housing payment Assistance Application is not accepting applications from homeowners. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. Initially, families accessing RAFT funds received between $1,500 and $3,000 as a one-time payment, according to literature published by Metro Housing Boston. All Rights Reserved. The program started Nov. 14 in two regions, with statewide rollout expected sometime in mid-December. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. RAFT is a one-time or as-needed subsidy currently in vogue, with none of the long-term stabilizing power of permanent rental subsidy, but with more responsive application timeframes. The RAFT COVID program appears to be presented as an option for landlords to accept or decline. Under the current system, landlords applying on behalf of their tenants must include a signed tenant consent form, but the dual nature of the new portal application removes the need for this. hoGI(RB@PEBi`71UsgB&v/$R5&i-md-kTlt+7j?h-??ex^6t{@E^g8 pwW_m\_|)1cdC1O #`QNdV1EQ(z62 g2m(A32 323CGQj Tb*3Pkddzic#0"Z#5D9H]8O$S1{=%z$D)Q]B &U&$|%)!8ABQJug|,PX%p|,x As of Aug. 1 2022, households can obtain up to 12 months of assistance, capped at $10,000. They can use it for first and last months rent, a security deposit or even furniture (furniture expenses are capped at $1,000). Once the application is in, the landlord will receive an email or call informing them an application has been started by one of their tenants. You can fill out the information with them. Use this button to show and access all levels. 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. In these cases, a landlord accepting the terms of the increased RAFT COVID limit would be extending a tenancy deep in arrears while forfeiting the ability to recoup any losses for at least six more months. It is highly recommended that you take that step only with the guidance of legal counsel. A lawyer can advise you about the law, refer you to resources, fill out and file court papers, and represent you. A landlord is required to notify a tenant if they've applied for eviction, This first notice is called a notice to quit and it should state why the landlord is evicting you. Therefore, going through a regional Housing Consumer Education Center to complete an intake assessment is the first step to accessing RAFT funding. Open to all. The largest non-profit for owners and managers of Massachusetts residential real estate. Applicants who have not already done so will be prompted to create a new profile and account. 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. 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. Some regionals are releasing funds within three weeks of receiving a complete application. Phone: 617.859.0400 RAFT can pay up to $10,000 in back rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, future rent, mortgage payments or moving costs if: You are homeless or about to become homeless, and Your income is less than 80% of Area Median Income. The RAFT application system requires both a tenant application and a landlord application for tenants who are requesting rental assistance. ,h^$dXcbM/0&4EcTg$H]^A/H][LE1y If the link above does not work (please notify us using the "Need a Hand" widget below and right), then go to the regional directly. Are your tenants behind on rent?
How To Turn Off Power Lock On Nord 4,
Where Did Harry Potter Live After The War,
Mark Howard Nationwide,
Who Is Anna Fyfe Husband,
South Wales Echo Obituaries,
Articles R
