Housing Services
Rent Relief, Utility Arrears, and Eviction Prevention
Important Emergency Rental Assistance Update – Federal Program Stopped Taking New Applications on April 15.
Targeted State Program Will Continue.
Landlords are required to send a Notice to Quit to a tenant prior to filing for an eviction. 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 March 31, 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 Administers RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition). It is funded by public contracts and private grants and donations, and helps low-income renters to achieve housing stability and better lives.
For households applying to RAFT for assistance with rent arrears, a notice to quit or eviction notice/court summons is now required. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. RAFT provides qualifying households with maximum benefit limit of $10,000 per household in a 12-month period. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent, as well as forward rent in limited situations. Renters or landlords can apply by submitting an online application.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION
Please complete and submit your application for financial assistance HERE.
- At this time, the MA Emergency Housing payment Assistance Application is not accepting applications from homeowners. Homeowners in need of mortgage assistance or other housing assistance may apply for the new Homeowner Assistance Fund (MA HAF) Program. Please visit this link to learn more about HAF and to see if you may be eligible. To apply to Mass HAF, visit www.massmortgagehelp.org.
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
- A notice to quit or eviction notice/court summons is now required
- Proof of housing (for example a lease)
- Proof of income (for example paystubs)
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. Â
For LandlordsÂ
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 RAFT 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.
At this time, the MA Emergency Housing payment Assistance Application is not accepting applications from homeowners. Homeowners in need of mortgage assistance or other housing assistance may apply for the new Homeowner Assistance Fund (MA HAF) Program. Please visit this link to learn more about HAF and to see if you may be eligible. To apply to Mass HAF, visit www.massmortgagehelp.org.
Who qualifies for RAFT?
- A household’s income must be at or below 50 percent area median income (AMI).
- Households composed of any of the following:Â 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: For households applying to RAFT for assistance with rent arrears, a notice to quit or eviction notice/court summons is now required. 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 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 arrearages (A notice to quit or eviction notice/court summons is now required).
- Security deposits.
- First and last month’s rent.
- Utility arrearages (with utility shut off/termination notice).
- Moving expenses.
ResourceLine@MetroHousingBoston.org
617.425.6700.
From August 12th – October 31st, the hours for Metro Housing’s Resource Line Call Center will be:
8:45AM – Noon
1:00PM – 2:30PM
This change will be only during these dates and only for reaching us by phone at 617-425-6700. Resource Line staff will still be responding to emails (resourceline@metrohousingboston.org) during our regular hours (9:00AM – 5:00PM).
The Housing Consumer Education Center
1411 Tremont Street, Boston, 02120
Additional Assistance Programs
The City of Boston has set 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.
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? Contact the Housing Hub at ResourceLine@MetroHousingBoston.org for locations and schedules.