Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. If you are unable to assist your client in completing the online application, printable applications can be found below. This would seem to suggest that RAFT can be refused when it does not fully cover arrears. The RAFT COVID program is very new and RAFT administrators are flooded with applications as households struggle with job and income losses. I have one tenant who applied [to RAFT] and didnt receive a call back at all, she said. On the other hand, in certain conditions, Section 8 might cause the landlord to lose money. 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. The RAFT Program is a homelessness prevention program funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Apply here Already applied? To view all of this presentation, you must be logged with webinar access. Once it launches statewide, the portal will be available in eight languages. 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. But considering the language in discrimination law 151B, theres too much risk and vulnerability for discrimination liability to take that step hastily. 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. For information on how to request assistance, please clickhere. 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. If you do not think your tenant has access to email, DHCD recommends you have your tenant initiate the application with their local RAA. 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 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. 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. Though mass.gov is not completely clear on whether current participants in the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) or Section 8 are RAFT-eligible, wording from the 2020 RAFT administrative plan states that If a family is using RAFT to move into a unit with a subsidy, proof of the total contract rent and of the tenants rent share must be provided. If approved for RAFT, funds will be. 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. 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. 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. Home / Tenants / Landlords / Helping People Apply / FAQ /. 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. Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Applying for Rental Assistance in Massachusetts to Avoid Eviction, Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. Image: CC BY-SA Pixabay. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent costs, as well as future rent in limited situations. %PDF-1.6 % There are many cases in Massachusetts in which landlords are owed rent of well over $10,000, such that RAFT alone would not cure arrearages or cover foreseeable future shortfall. 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. 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. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. A lawyer can help advise you before a case gets to court or if a case is in court. 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. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Your support is critical to help alleviate and prevent the impact of homelessness in Boston. The program started Nov. 14 in two regions, with statewide rollout expected sometime in mid-December. Landlords can apply directly for rental assistance on behalf of eligible residents. The state RAFT program may provide up to up to $10,000 per household in a 12-month period for rent and other housing costs, including moving expenses. They can use it for first and last months rent, a security deposit or even furniture (furniture expenses are capped at $1,000). Program funds can be used for housing-related expenses only. Open the email and click on the link provided to create your Landlord application. Thank you! Please limit your input to 500 characters. For more information, visit the states RAFT guidance page. ***Your account must have info entered for the Payee, Properties, and Payment Methods sections on your profile before you can apply. Note that the Tenant Application Code is different from their Case ID. 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. Paper applications will still be available at RAAs if tenants need them. 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. The RAFT application system requires both a tenant application and a landlord application for tenants who are requesting rental assistance. Owners, managers, and service providers sustain our nonprofit trade association with membership dues. The extra RAFT funds from the federal government were meant to be used within a specific amount of time. If you need assistance, please contact the Housing and Community Development. Charlie Baker recently announced $100 million . Thank you for your website feedback! RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent. Lynn, MA 01902 Please limit your input to 500 characters. 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. When calling, please leave your name, call back number and application number. If the landlord decides to go ahead with eviction, are they on shaky legal ground? Required fields are marked *. Landlord struggling because your tenant cant pay the rent? ONLY a court order can force you to leave your apartment. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can also help youfind a housing counseling agency (HCA). Chinese and Khmer applications are not fillable at this time and need to be scanned. Landlords and property owners can (a) begin the RAFT application process for their tenants who may need to request financial assistance for overdue rent OR (b) complete the application once the tenant has submitted their application. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent costs, as well as future rent in limited situations. LANDLORD JOURNEYS: Understand what to expect when you or your tenant applies for emergency housing payment assistance. C( QA%TD2*HTpA2EVHST0 QHH-W$2PgAEVA Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT), a short-term Massachusetts rental subsidy program, is designed to help families who are at risk of becoming homeless transition into stable housing. Homeowners in need of mortgage assistance or other housing assistance may apply for the new Homeowner Assistance Fund (MA HAF) Program. You can also use the eligibility checker toolhere to see if you might be eligible for RAFT. :If your tenanthas notapplied, startan application by asking for yourtenant to sign the required consentform that is available through theregional agency. 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. Forgiveness of arrearages or acceptance of reduced rent are not program requirements. This funding source no longer matters. 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. Boston, MA 02120-3401 Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. We will use this information to improve this page. Either a landlord or a tenant may begin the RAFT application process by going to the existing landing page. To view all of this presentation, you must be logged-in and a member in good standing. Se enfrenta al desalojo? 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 a tenant does not have an email address or access to a computer, they can still go to their regional administering agency (RAA). 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. 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. Search Eviction Records by Address (Beta). Some page levels are currently hidden. Households can apply by submitting an online application. RAFT can provide up to $10,000 per household within a 12-month period to help preserve current housing or move to new housing. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent. The long answer is a bit more complicated. Section 8 requires an inspection, to certify a rental units health and safety suitability. There does not appear to be a clear answer for when funding is received, however, the first payment of the benefit must be used within 60 days of an applicant being determined eligible for RAFT money (barring documented administrative delays or extenuating circumstances). Program administrators will determine if your application qualifies for ERMA or RAFT. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Note that it will likely take 5 business days to hear back due to high volume. The RAAs can either assist the tenant with setting up an email address or can act as a tenant advocate to get the application process started. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. _ Email to hc@cmhaonline.org. Housing verification (Examples: a lease, tenancy agreement, or tenancy at will agreement) Proof of Identity of the property owner. Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT), a short-term Massachusetts rental subsidy program, is designed to help families who are at risk of becoming homeless transition into stable housing. The RAFT program is open to all types of landlords, including private landlords, non-profit landlords, and government landlords. HomeBASE is a program for families who are experiencing homelessness and are living in shelters. 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. Better Lives. 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. Massachusetts Community Mediation Centers also offer free pre-court mediation between landlords and tenants for COVID-19 related lease disputes in addition to the summary process cases referred through the courts. 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. The state RAFT program may provide up to $10,000 for rent and other housing costs, including moving expenses. Use this button to show and access all levels. If your income can be verified with government databases, you will not have to submit any additional income documentation. General Law 151B, the states discrimination law, bars discriminating against anyone receiving public assistance, including rental assistance. 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. These deadlines were shared with MassLandlords and others by a state official over the March 25, 2021, stakeholder zoom. Better Policy. You must have your application number in order to submit documents or to determine which agency is processing your application. Use this button to show and access all levels. Find out whether your tenant has already submitted an application for rental assistance. Better Policy. The tenant does not receive funding directly. 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. RAFT does not serve homeowners. Please do not include personal or contact information. IMPORTANT: If you have multiple tenants completing applications, please make sure to respond to EACH landlord invitation email. If you would like to speak with a foreclosure counselor regarding your options, a list of foreclosure counselors by region is available here. For more information about how to apply, please visit our landlord page. Community-based organizations will also get training in how to use the new portal. RAFT sends payments to your landlord or mortgage company. The administration announced the RAFT COVID program in October as part of its $171 million Eviction Diversion Initiative. 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. 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.). You can find information of HAFhereorcall 2-1-1 for more information. CC BY-SA 4.0 MassLandlords. Contact the Volunteer Lawyers Project for more information. 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. )0OP[S{ We can help. 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. If the landlord accepts, they forfeit the right to evict for six months or until June 2021. Log in or get access for as little as $3. The following documentation is required to apply: Visitors to these websites are encouraged to contact agency representatives, listed on the websites, to help with navigation, clarifying information and applying . Fax . The RAFT COVID program appears to be presented as an option for landlords to accept or decline. If your tenant created an application already, you should receive a landlord invitation email. Applying online is the most direct and efficient way to apply for financial assistance. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Youve been added to our list. The two pilot regions are Way Finders in the Greater Springfield region and the Housing Assistance Corporation, serving Cape Cod and the islands. 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). However, there is a $10,000 cap in funding, and any money that a family has received from RAFT counts towards that. We will use this information to improve this page. Posted in News - 0 Comments. Wednesday 8 AM 4 PM This was much higher than previously and since. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. Jog I5N7=Ziph2IaL)"Q LA01A In August 2022, the limit was changed again. 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. Of the approximately $400 million allocated to Massachusetts in the December 2020 Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA 2021), 65% had to be spent by Sept. 30, 2021, to avoid clawback. 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. A lock icon ( No, the agreement signed by the tenant and landlordremainsin effectfor its stated term,unless the parties agree to amend it. The state is relying on RAFT to help renters during the pandemic, and the nonprofit is being criticized for long delays and mounting uncertainty. RAFT can assist families with emergency rental situations, but it lacks the long-term stability of permanent rental subsidies. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. You are entitled to a legal proceeding in which you can defend against an eviction. Thank you for your website feedback! They may be eligible for assistance from the state that will send rent payments directly to you, the landlord. Join us! The new agreement would still need tocomply with all RAFT 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.