Housing Services
Rent Relief, Utility Arrears, and Eviction Prevention
Eviction protections in Massachusetts are extended through April 2022. If you can’t pay rent because of COVID-19-related financial hardship AND have a pending application for rental assistance, you can’t be evicted.
Until Jan. 1, 2023, Landlords are required to send a notice to quit for non-payment of rent. A Notice to Quit is NOT an eviction. You do not need to immediately leave your apartment. You are entitled to a legal proceeding in which you can defend against an eviction. ONLY a court order can force you to leave your apartment.
Until Jan. 1, 2023, a Notice to Quit must be accompanied by information about tenant’s rights and rental assistance options.
FACING EVICTION? CLICK HERE FOR RESOURCES.
Metro Housing|Boston’s Financial Assistance department includes many programs, activities, and resources that can help prevent eviction and homelessness. These initiatives, such as RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition), Emergency Rent and Mortgage Assistance (ERMA), and ERAP (Emergency Rental Assistance Program) are funded by public contracts and private grants and donations, and help low-income renters to achieve housing stability and better lives.
For COVID-related housing crises, RAFT and ERMA can provide eligible households up to $10,000 that can be used to help keep their housing, obtain new housing, or otherwise avoid becoming homeless, regardless of source of income, or lack of income. Citizenship or immigration status is not an issue for most of this funding.
Click HERE To learn more about Emergency Housing Payment Assistance Programs.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION
Please complete and submit your application for financial assistance HERE.
Click HERE to learn more about submitting a complete application, eligibility and required documents.
PLEASE NOTE: You will have to submit the following documentation. Your application will be processed faster if you include all of these documents.
- ID for the head of household
- Proof of housing crisis (for example an eviction notice or letter saying you’re behind on rent)
- Proof of housing (for example a lease)
- Proof of income (for example paystubs)
We understand that the COVID-19 health crisis has made it difficult to get some documents. Please complete the application and attach the documents that you have available. If you do not have access to the documents and need additional time, please let us know, and we will do our best to work with you. If you have questions regarding how to complete the application, please contact Metro Housing’s Housing Hub at 617-425-6700 or via e-mail at ResourceLine@MetroHousingBoston.org
Due to the overwhelming demand for assistance, it is now taking four weeks for completed applications to be processed. Please be sure your application and all documentation are complete to allow for us to process the application as quickly as possible.
We appreciate your patience. Our staff will review submitted applications that are complete before those that are incomplete. Please be sure to include all necessary documents when submitting application.
For Landlords
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST TENANTS RECEIVING SUBSIDIES BY A LANDLORD IS PROHIBITED
Tenants and 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, including rental assistance or rental supplements, because the individual is such a recipient. A landlord’s 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. Landlords should consult their own legal counsel for advice before declining rental assistance that covers all outstanding rent arrears.
Landlords can begin the application process for their tenants who may need to request financial assistance for overdue rent.
If you are a landlord/property owner applying for Emergency Housing Payment Assistance (i.e., ERAP, RAFT, or ERMA) on behalf of your tenant, you must ask that your tenant complete and sign THIS FORM. Please note that some sections of the form must be completed by the landlord/property owner.
Property owners may also be eligible for mortgage assistance if they are at risk of foreclosure on their primary residence. Use the same application below to apply.
Who qualifies for RAFT, ERMA & ERAP?
Household qualifications vary by program. For example, a household that does not qualify for ERAP may still qualify for RAFT or ERMA. All households that fall within the parameters below should apply. Program staff will determine the program for which they are eligible.
Additionally, households that have already received RAFT or ERMA may receive ERAP in addition, as long as the programs do not cover the same expenses for the same month. See specific ERAP program overviews at the bottom of this section.
- A household’s income must be at or below 80 percent area median income (AMI).
- Households composed of any of the following: Individuals, families with older children, couples without children, unaccompanied youth, and households of any size.
- Household must provide documentation/proof that they are currently experiencing a housing crisis:
- For households with rental arrears: Written documentation of rental arrears, demonstration of a financial hardship (reduction in revenue and/or increase in expenses) that caused the nonpayment of rent, and demonstration that payment of the arrears will allow the household to retain their housing.
- For households facing eviction: Summary Process Summons and Complaint. Tenants who have a housing subsidy and are facing eviction due to non-payment of rent must also provide proof of financial hardship that explains cause for arrears in order to receive assistance.
- For households leaving doubled-up housing: Letter from landlord or primary tenant explaining that the family must leave. This must also include the address, date, and contact name and info of person writing letter. A copy of new lease or letter of intent to rent for new apartment.
- For households leaving unsafe housing: Verification of unsafe housing conditions and copy of new lease/letter of intent to rent for new apartment.
- For households facing foreclosure or mortgage arrears: Current mortgage statement and letter from lender indicating that family is at least 30 days in arrears and at risk of foreclosure.
- For households facing utility shutoff: Utility shutoff notice and current bill.
What can RAFT, ERMA & ERAP funds be used for?
Program funds can be used for housing-related expenses only. Appropriate uses of funds include, but are not limited to:
- Rental or mortgage arrearages.
- Security deposits.
- First and last month’s rent.
- Utility arrearages.
- Moving expenses.
ResourceLine@MetroHousingBoston.org
617.425.6700.
The Housing Consumer Education Center
1411 Tremont Street, Boston, 02120
Additional Assistance Programs
The Federal government is providing funds for emergency rent and utility assistance to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and also directly to the City of Boston. The City of Boston is setting up their own program to cover Boston residents. If you live in Boston, you may wish to apply to their program by visiting this website. However, you cannot receive assistance from both the City and the State at the same time.
Subsidized Housing Emergency Rental Assistance (SHERA) Program
SHERA provides qualified owners of affordable rental housing and Local Housing Authorities with an expedited path to apply for federal Emergency Rental Assistance on behalf of income-eligible tenants. The program is currently in a Pilot program. For details on SHERA and to access the owner portal, click HERE.
Metro Housing|Boston in Your Community
Colocations are part of Metro Housing|Boston’s ongoing efforts to be more visible in the communities we serve and to be more responsive to our clients and their housing needs. Partnering with local agencies and using their expertise in the community increases our ability to effectively serve those in need of housing assistance.
These partnerships help the residents of that area participate in our programs without the added hassle of securing transportation and spending time traveling far from home.
Questions about which communities Metro Housing is in? Please contact Gregg Cothias, Colocation Program Manager at Gregg.Cothias@MetroHousingBoston.org for more information about our Colocation sites and services.
Can’t make it to our office? (Our office is closed to the public until further notice) Contact the Housing Hub at ResourceLine@MetroHousingBoston.org for locations and schedules.