For Landlords 

Landlords can begin the application process for their tenants who may need to request financial assistance for overdue rent. All adult household members must sign a Tenant Consent form in order for the Landlord to complete this process. Click below to begin the online application.

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.

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.

ERAP Program Overviews

English | Spanish | Chinese | Haitian Creole | Vietnamese | Russian | Khmer | Portuguese

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.

For more information about RAFT, ERMA, and ERAP click on the English overview (below, left) or the Spanish overview (below, right) or contact our Housing Hub team at 617.425.6700 or via email.

ENGLISH                                                                SPANISH

In response to the increased need due to COVID-19, DHCD has authorized a series of changes to make these programs more effective tools to help address today’s housing crises. The most significant changes include:

• Applicants can simply provide a short self-statement (written or verbal) connecting their housing emergency with the COVID-19 crisis. Third-party verification or documentation verifying loss of income is not needed.
• If documents are unavailable due to the COVID-19 crisis, applications may be processed without documentation that is normally required.
• Applicants may qualify for utility assistance by providing a termination or shutoff notice from the utility provider. *Contingent on housing preservation and does not apply to homeowners.
• Subsidized applicants may receive RAFT a second time within 24 months but a rent adjustment should be explored first if there has been a loss in income.
• Applicants no longer need to be behind on payments to apply. Applicants can provide documentation that COVID-19 has affected their future ability to pay.
• Income eligibility will be based on current income.
• CARES act payments will not be included in eligible income calculations.
• Applicants do not need a notice to quit or court summons to apply.