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. 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). 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. . Then, during the case, RAFT responds, offering an amount of rental assistance funds, eventually, that will cure nonpayment. RAFT can provide up to $10,000 per household within a 12-month period to help preserve current housing or move to new housing. Other funding would need to be lined up first. Applications received by April 15th, 2022 will be considered for ERAP until all funds have been allocated. You need to contact your lender/servicer to request assistance. RAFT, which has been around since 2005, has helped many families with things like security deposits, rent and furniture since its inception. 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. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and response, the state of Massachusetts initially made an additional $5 million available for RAFT. 1411 Tremont Street 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. 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. If none of these are available, the applicant can self-certify. Families who have received HomeBASE funding may also be eligible for RAFT. Homeowners in need of mortgage assistance or other housing assistance may apply for the new Homeowner Assistance Fund (MA HAF) Program. 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. The landlord contacted VLP to seek legal advice. 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. They can also use the money for utility bills, or to get current on owed rent/utilities. If additional income documentation is needed, the organization processing your RAFT application will reach out to you to request it. Section 8 is permanent (as long as the recipient remains eligible for funding), and it guarantees the landlord will receive rent. If you need assistance submitting an application or required documents through this portal, please refer to the corresponding document that is linked below. The largest non-profit for owners and managers of Massachusetts residential real estate. If you do not think your tenant has access to email, DHCD recommends you have your tenant initiate the application with their local RAA. Applying online is the most direct and efficient way to apply for financial assistance. 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. The new application portal is designed to replace the current central application process. Our staff will call back to assist you in the order your message was received. Appropriate uses of funds include, but are not limited to: Financial Assistance Application Haitian Creole, Financial Assistance Application Portuguese, Financial Assistance Application Vietnamese, Financial Assistance Application in Chinese, Metro Housing|Boston }. 2021 Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development. Please do not include personal or contact information. Free legal aid is available to assist low-income tenants with referrals, legal information, and legal representation for evictions statewide. Boston, MA 02120-3401 If you need assistance, please contact the Housing and Community Development. 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). The administration announced the RAFT COVID program in October as part of its $171 million Eviction Diversion Initiative. 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. 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. This could include families who are facing eviction. Landlords Should Take RAFT. It's the Law - Banker & Tradesman For households applying to RAFT for assistance with rent arrears, a Notice to Quit or eviction notice/court summons is now required. 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 ). Lynn, MA 01902 But if they are moving out, any number of circumstances could have kept those funds from being directed towards you. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. 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. Section 8 requires an inspection, to certify a rental units health and safety suitability. Updated April 14th, 2023 Please limit your input to 500 characters. Administrators will also look at why the family is homeless or at risk of becoming so. RAFT does not serve homeowners. During(or after)the RAFT benefit period, the tenant violates a lease clause that is unrelated to payment of rent. You can also use the eligibility checker toolhere to see if you might be eligible for RAFT. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. If the landlord applies on behalf of the tenant, the tenant will receive the code and a prompt to begin their part of the application. If you are a landlord and you believe your tenant may be eligible for rental assistance, you should: Learn about the RAFT program and other available resources. Others need 12 weeks or longer. 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. Visitors to these websites are encouraged to contact agency representatives, listed on the websites, to help with navigation, clarifying information and applying . You are entitled to a legal proceeding in which you can defend against an eviction. 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. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. by Nomer Caceres. 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.). ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. 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 RAFT COVID programs stated optionality may leave landlords who opt out exposed to litigation. Landlords can apply directly for rental assistance on behalf of eligible residents. Some page levels are currently hidden. To view all of this presentation, you must be logged with webinar access. Please let us know how we can improve this page. IMPORTANT: If you have multiple tenants completing applications, please make sure to respond to EACH landlord invitation email. The largest non-profit for owners and managers of Massachusetts residential real estate. :If your tenant has already submitted an application for rental assistance, please do not reapply. Landlords will see it was denied but will not be given tenants private information. Homeowners can continue to access the federal Homeowner Assistance Fund(HAF). The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can also help youfind a housing counseling agency (HCA). If the landlord decides to go ahead with eviction, are they on shaky legal ground? If both parties are amenable to changing the agreement, the tenant would not have to reapply, butthey would need to executea new agreement. Landlords must obtain and submit a signed tenant consent form before applying for assistance. MassachusettsCommunity Mediation Centersare offering free pre-courtmediationbetweenlandlords and tenants for lease disputesin addition to the summary process cases referred through the courts. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. Since RAFT monies can be used for more purposes than just late rentwhat may have happened in situations where the tenant got RAFT support but the landlord never saw any money was that the tenant directed the payment to an additional vendor as well as to a new landlord.. Signed W-9 in the name of the property owner. 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. Therefore, going through a regional Housing Consumer Education Center to complete an intake assessment is the first step to accessing RAFT funding. A Landlord's Guide to Massachusetts' Residential Assistance for The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. 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. This would seem to suggest that RAFT cannot be refused even when it would not fully cover arrears. 100 Cambridge St, Suite 300, Boston, MA 02114. Financial Assistance for Renters and Homeowners - Way Finders Landlords should be aware that Chapter 151B of the Massachusetts General Laws prohibits discrimination bya landlord against anytenant receiving federal, state, or local housing subsidies, including rentalassistance or rental supplements, because the individual is such a recipient. These twelve organizations process RAFT applications, request additional documentation as needed, and administer RAFT benefits (directly to the landlord or utility provider). 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. No definition of the legality of opting out of RAFT COVID assistance emerged from these correspondences. If you need assistance, please contact the Housing and Community Development. Landlords can apply directly for rental assistance on behalf of eligible tenants. Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT). If a tenant does not have an email address or access to a computer, they can still go to their regional administering agency (RAA). 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). Be sure to provide contact information for your landlord/property owner in your RAFT application. No, the agreement signed by the tenant and landlordremainsin effectfor its stated term,unless the parties agree to amend it. You can find information of HAFhereorcall 2-1-1 for more information. Thank you for your website feedback! To apply to Mass HAF, visit www.massmortgagehelp.org. A map of DHCDs regional administering agencies throughout the state with names in key.CC-BY SA 4.0 MassLandlords. On the other hand, in certain conditions, Section 8 might cause the landlord to lose money. To view all of this presentation, you must be logged-in and a member in good standing. Our assessment is that claims are less likely where RAFT would not fully cover arrears and future shortfall, but more likely where RAFT would. Please limit your input to 500 characters. 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. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Office of Housing Stability - City of Revere, Massachusetts Landlords and tenants can see their application status change as it moves through the system. The RAFT application system requires both a tenant application and a landlord application for tenants who are requesting rental assistance. Subsidies resulting from RAFT applications during the COVID-19 pandemic were capped at 15 months total benefit. RAFT was first piloted in 2005, with a budget of $2 million for that first year. During(or after)the RAFT benefit period, the tenant does notmeet themonthly rent payment obligationthat is stated in the agreement. Open to all. Some page levels are currently hidden. Fair Housing Policies & Procedures | Privacy Policy, Lynn HOME-ARP Allocation Plan Community Forum Information. We will use this information to improve this page. Proceed with caution if you are a landlord considering declining RAFT COVID funding, especially in cases in which the funds would fully cover rent arrears, could cure nonpayment, and/or stabilize the tenancy. If you think RAFT could help your renter and you apply on their behalf, you will need to provide their email address. 10 Church Street Program funds can be used for housing-related expenses only. You skipped the table of contents section. 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. Step 2: Your LANDLORD/PROPERTY OWNER, must also submit a landlord application. Note that you as the landlord must provide information for the RAFT application. 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 visit this link to learn more about HAF and to see if you may be eligible. 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. Website Design by Compete Now. To document COVID-related income loss, applicants may provide a letter from their employer showing lost or reduced hours, or documentation of loss of childcare (requiring the applicant to have to stop working). The time between submitting a RAFT application and receiving a RAFT award or denial varies. Required fields are marked *. More information is available here, or you can go to https://hedfuel.azurewebsites.net/ to find a legal aid program near you. Gov. In actuality, renters have racked up back rent owed of well over $20,000. RAFT Emergency Assistance - HRA - fcrhra Tenants can also apply directly. All calls are free and confidential. Landlord/Property Owner Portal Reference Guide Information for Applicants Effective August 1, 2022 the maximum benefit limit on the RAFT Program is $10,000 per household in a 12-month period. ?kB9z 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. . Therefore, stronger definition is needed around the $10,000 optionality, either to protect landlords from harmful litigation based on discrimination charges, or to protect renters from a weakening of our important discrimination protections. A landlord is required to notify a tenant if they've applied for eviction, This first notice is called a notice to quit and it should state why the landlord is evicting you. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. hoGI(RB@PEBi`71UsgB&v/$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 If your tenant created an application already, you should receive a landlord invitation email. 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. People applying for RAFT must do so in the region where they intend to use their RAFT benefits. Each assistance application will have two parts, one for landlords and one for tenants. 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). This gives applicants 21 days to complete and submit their application once it has been started. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent costs, as well as future rent in limited situations. The program can also be used to help families who are already homeless pay for necessary costs to get into a house or apartment. 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. Community-based organizations will also get training in how to use the new portal. Visit this page to understand what to expect when you or your tenant applies for emergency housing payment assistance. 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. *2 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. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. 3. Rent Relief, Utility Arrears, and Eviction Prevention Is RAFT COVID $10k Optional for Landlords? - MassLandlords.net The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. The landlord will receive a special code they must enter in the portal before completing their portion of the application. We will use this information to improve this page. Better Communities. We will use this information to improve this page. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. h[.wi343h7XMnh~74s9Jz=(WosJFY'*[ }w~W. If your income can be verified with government databases, you will not have to submit any additional income documentation. Imagine, for example, a Boston tenant who stopped paying rent in March. Does it matter whether RAFT COVID would cure or not? ***Your account must have info entered for the Payee, Properties, and Payment Methods sections on your profile before you can apply. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent costs, as well as forward rent in limited situations. 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/ERMA Landlord Application Instructions - Massachusetts RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent. Landlords of any size may now apply for emergency rental assistance on behalf of their tenants. The tenant does not receive funding directly. 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. E-mail: info@metrohousingboston.org. Renters or landlords can apply by submitting an online application. Please limit your input to 500 characters. 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. 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. RAFT Applications in Other Languages - Berkshire Housing If you need assistance, please contact the Housing and Community Development. oSSx3xg=]z3|3|1Y|L8fu?|O>w~>~~o>j~Vc~_yw|yw/k7w/xwq&-Gd[WW? RAFT became the primary housing safety net during COVID-19. Se enfrenta al desalojo? Work with your renters to provide your part of the information as soon as requested. 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. This verbiage implies that families who receive rental vouchers may also receive RAFT funds, at least under certain circumstances. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. The state is relying on RAFT to help renters during the pandemic, and the nonprofit is being criticized for long delays and mounting uncertainty. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The answer is no, RAFT funding can be spent on any housing needs that will keep someone from becoming homeless. 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. It will take between four and seven weeks to process all applications. 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. They may also drop off the applications at our offices between the hours of 9:00 AM 3:00 PM. Once you have submitted your application, your landlord/property owner will be asked to provide the following documents: The RAFT application takes between 20-50 minutes to complete. Find contact information for your RAA here. The RAFT program is open to all types of landlords, including private landlords, non-profit landlords, and government landlords. RAFT can provide up to $10,000 per household within a 12-month period to help preserve current housing or move to new housing. States that did not use all of the federal money they were allocated were at risk of having that money "clawed back" by the U.S. Treasury. ,h^$dXcbM/0&4EcTg$H]^A/H][LE1y The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. 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. If your tenant is behind on the rent - or expects they will be soon - tell them about this website. If you are unable to assist your client in completing the online application, printable applications can be found below. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. Charlie Baker recently announced $100 million . A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. Paper applications will still be available at RAAs if tenants need them. Please let us know how we can improve this page. 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). A lawyer can advise you about the law, refer you to resources, fill out and file court papers, and represent you. hV\YZ^c3p*p #? The CM will sometimes follow up directly with the family with clarifying questions. 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? Blog Is RAFT COVID $10k Optional for Landlords? Landlords can apply directly for rental assistance on behalf of eligible residents. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts.

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