You cannot save and return to an application, so you must complete your application in one sitting. Some page levels are currently hidden. 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. The RAFT program helps families secure and maintain stable housing by providing them with a rent subsidy, case management services, and support services. It is important to submit a complete application for RAFT to receive support quickly. Since each HCEC has its own website, we have tried to list the RAFT application links here: If any link doesn't work, visit the Housing Consumer Education Centers site, find the regional HCEC page, and then tell us which link to change. First published December 17th, 2020 | Some page levels are currently hidden. Language Assistance Plan (LAP) | Reasonable Accomodations, function googleTranslateElementInit() { Log in or join today and gain access all presentations and videos. 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. oSSx3xg=]z3|3|1Y|L8fu?|O>w~>~~o>j~Vc~_yw|yw/k7w/xwq&-Gd[WW? Landlords and property managers will be able to create a profile on the portal with their W-9 and payment information. For households applying to RAFT for assistance with rent arrears, a notice to quit or eviction notice/court summons is now required. In August 2022, the limit was changed again. Thursday 8 AM 4 PM Email to hc@cmhaonline.org. 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. new google.translate.TranslateElement({pageLanguage: 'en', includedLanguages : 'sq,am,ar,zh-CN,zh-TW,fr,de,es,ht,it,km,fa,pt,ru,so,sw,vi', layout: google.translate.TranslateElement.InlineLayout.SIMPLE}, 'google_translate_element'); Boston, MA 02120-3401 The best way to apply is online. ONLY a court order can force you to leave your apartment. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies RAFT helps all kinds of households by providing up to $10,000 per household, within a 12-month period, to help preserve current housing or move to new housing. Tuesday 8 AM 7 PM 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). Other funding would need to be lined up first. . The landlord will receive a special code they must enter in the portal before completing their portion of the application. You can also use the eligibility checker toolhere to see if you might be eligible for RAFT. There are two additional tools for landlords and tenants to prevent an eviction. Despite statements from the Baker-Polito administration and our best efforts at clarification, we are unable to verify that the expanded limit of RAFT COVID will be declared legally optional by a court. Landlords can begin the application process . Landlords should consult their own legal counsel for advice before declining rental assistance that covers all outstanding rent arrears. A tenant who is late on rent could sign up for the program, receive funds, and use it to put down a security deposit on another housing unit elsewhere. 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. Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) Program. 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. RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition) is a state-funded homelessness prevention program. Better Policy. It can provide funds for the same housing-related expenses that RAFT covers. Applications received by April 15th, 2022 will be considered for ERAP until all funds have been allocated. Fair Housing Policies & Procedures | Privacy Policy, Lynn HOME-ARP Allocation Plan Community Forum Information. For more information about how to apply, please visit our landlord page. 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. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent costs, as well as future rent in limited situations. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. All Rights Reserved. For more information on the federal ERAP, SHERA, and ERMA programs, please visit this page. The CM will sometimes follow up directly with the family with clarifying questions. Either a landlord or a tenant may begin the RAFT application process by going to the existing landing page. }w~W. Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT). A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. RAFT, which has been around since 2005, has helped many families with things like security deposits, rent and furniture since its inception. This could include loss of income or increased expenses for those families in the higher income group (3080% AMI depending on funding source). RAFT is administered by eleven Regional Administering Agencies (RAAs) as well as the Rental Assistance Processing (RAP) Center operated by Nan McKay and Associates (NMA). A landlord who accepts RAFTfundingdoes not losethe ability to file for eviction due tolease violations that may occur in the future. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, Frequently Asked Questions for Landlords about Accepting State Funded Rental Assistance, is, Frequently Asked Questions for Landlords about Accepting State Funded Rental Assistance. Click here for Applicant Portal First Time Home Buyers who currently live in one of these communities may be eligible for a Home Read More Once you submit your application through the online portal, a Regional Administering Agency (RAA) or the Rental Assistance Processing Center (RAP Center) will process your application. For greater efficiency, these documents should be submitted with the referral. Some page levels are currently hidden. RAFT can provide up to $10,000 per household within a 12-month period to help preserve current housing or move to new housing. To apply to Mass HAF, visit www.massmortgagehelp.org. You skipped the table of contents section. 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 an asking rent price for a particular unit is above fair market rent or payment standard, discrimination law does not require a landlord to take less than the full rent to accommodate Section 8 recipients. Please wait at least 10 business days before calling to check on your application. Landlords can apply for RAFT! Consider Section 8. Monthly updates, smart and relevant articles, and free premium content. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. 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. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. Households composed of any of the following:Individuals, families with older children, couples without children, unaccompanied youth, and households of any size. 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. 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. Contact the Volunteer Lawyers Project for more information. I have one tenant who applied [to RAFT] and didnt receive a call back at all, she said. Section 8 is permanent (as long as the recipient remains eligible for funding), and it guarantees the landlord will receive rent. Renters or landlords can apply by submitting an online application. Applications with all required information and documentation will be processed more quickly than those with missing information and documentation. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. by Nomer Caceres. 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). 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. Until Jan. 1, 2023, Landlords are required to send a notice to quit for non-payment of rent. 4CN|DtA$1 EG>JR ` 4pF :GI6*ozq}GGv|wK}xl7YR{S1!e/y''gOa[5eW?|ni_lwok_k/>_n~@>?n._*^m7wl?YxRSDxN.vsKWUI,VKz0?1S#j?^^7?Pi^SWBoRG\>Ai,EDHieYu-y/3o[K/dom~I_~ZsN}{L=MWi|92}e |Mg_:lW?b1ZK}AGJn]/9fT+E -gS&r%a9Yc9jd+Yl>{q\thE=oV~cWj)~X6O ~*%O9%# ? This funding source no longer matters. During(or after)the RAFT benefit period, the tenant does notmeet themonthly rent payment obligationthat is stated in the agreement. 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. 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. Sign up with to receive important news and updates. Wednesday 8 AM 4 PM fhousing@lhand.org A lawyer can advise you about the law, refer you to resources, fill out and file court papers, and represent you. The same might apply to a landlord who initiated or continued eviction while a RAFT application is pending. Lynn, MA 01902 Starting Nov. 14, landlords or tenants in these areas were able to file new RAFT applications through the portal. RAFT gives short-term financial assistance to low-income families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. A renter can apply once they have received a court summons or a notice to quit for owed rent. Others need 12 weeks or longer. If you need assistance, please contact the Housing and Community Development. 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. One of the biggest features is the addition of a save and resume function. The North Shore Housing Action Group (NSHAG) is financial assistance program that specifically focuses on the needs of 18-24 year olds that are experiencing housing Landlord/Property Owner Portal Reference Guide, MA Emergency Housing Payment Assistance Portal (mass.gov), Housing Assistance Application Reference Guide (mass.gov), RAFT Public Resource and Training Portal | Mass.gov. Its possible that this legally linguistic contradiction may not be addressed until litigation is brought forth. 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 ). Landlord struggling because your tenant cant pay the rent? Applicants should complete all of the fields in the preferred-language application and with all of the required documents, they may mail them to Metro Housing|Boston, 1411 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02120. Upon application submission, you will be asked to provide: Proof of ownership of the unit. +8(!a]FJ@J3D8OzF@F@@AOaGJh pC4z Tenants can also apply directly. After the end of the RAFT benefit period, the tenant does not payrentor otherwise violates the lease. Find contact information for your RAA here. If you have questions regarding how to complete the application, please contact Metro Housings Housing Hub at 617-425-6700 or via e-mail at ResourceLine@MetroHousingBoston.org. However, if you are unable to complete the application online, please emailhc@cmhaonline.orgor call508-752-5519, ext. This could delay the approval process. Phone: 617.859.0400 Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Learn about rental assistance programs available to eligible tenants. Use this button to show and access all levels. Then, during the case, RAFT responds, offering an amount of rental assistance funds, eventually, that will cure nonpayment. Landlords of tenants who receive RAFT COVID funds do not lose the right to evict due to lease violations, or in the event that agreements including use of RAFT funds are not complied with. LAS VEGAS (KSNV) The City of Las Vegas is taking applications once again for its newly re-funded Rental Assistance for Tenants (RAFT) program. We can help. 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.). Other landlords, especially mom and pops who rely on rental income for their livelihood, are simply not in the position of Winton Corp to wait several months to find out if assistance from RAFT will cover back rent owed. If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. Housing verification (Examples: a lease, tenancy agreement, or tenancy at will agreement) Proof of Identity of the property owner. To view all of this presentation, you must be logged-in and a member in good standing. 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. At this time, the MA Emergency Housing payment Assistance Application is not accepting applications from homeowners. The landlord may file for eviction under the following situations. Please let us know how we can improve this page. 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. RAFT may be used for the following costs: One prospective (future) rent payment (stipend) in limited situations, Moving-related expenses (first/last/security, moving trucks, and furniture). If you are unable to assist your client in completing the online application, printable applications can be found below. It is very important landlords coordinate with tenants before they apply for rental assistance. 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. However, Fisher went on, there doesn't appear to be any language to the effect that an existing landlord with an arrearage would have any priority over a successor landlord if the tenant chose to move into a new property. Once someone receives initial approval, they can complete an application. This could be in the form of emergency rent assistance to avoid eviction (or help paying rent going forward, if the family applying is in search of housing or has already been evicted). Youve been added to our list. Furniture. The earlier you contact a lawyer the better. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. 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. 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. A lock icon ( Are your tenants behind on rent? RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent. The long answer is a bit more complicated. Learn more about RAFT here. The largest non-profit for owners and managers of Massachusetts residential real estate. Not submitted means an application has been started, but not completed and turned in. A households income must be at or below 50 percent. Our assessment is that claims are less likely where RAFT would not fully cover arrears and future shortfall, but more likely where RAFT would. Friday 8 AM 12:30 PM. Applicants must bring photo identification and proof of current income for all adult members of the household. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent, as well as future rent in limited situations. Since such a family is beyond stabilization with RAFT alone, such a family would likely not be eligible for any RAFT assistance at all. The RAFT application system requires both a tenant application and a landlord application for tenants who are requesting rental assistance. 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. Also, the MassLandlords Helpline is a valuable resource for business advice and legal information. So far it has generously covered over $50 million in rent arrears and going forward stipends. Please do not include personal or contact information. A landlords 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. But considering the language in discrimination law 151B, theres too much risk and vulnerability for discrimination liability to take that step hastily. For more information, visit the states RAFT guidance page. Find out more about HAF here. They can use it for first and last months rent, a security deposit or even furniture (furniture expenses are capped at $1,000). Prior to COVID-19, families could obtain no more than $4,000 from RAFT within a 12-month period. Click below for a step-by-step guide on how to apply for the RAFT program: For additional RAFT application resources for tenants and landlords, please read our blog post here. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, Information for landlords on emergency housing assistance, is, Information for landlords on emergency housing assistance. The Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program may provide income-eligible households with up to $10,000 to pay utilities or moving costs, overdue rent, or future rent in limited situations, and once approved, these payments are sent directly to landlords. Forgiveness of arrearages or acceptance of reduced rent are not program requirements. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. No, the agreement signed by the tenant and landlordremainsin effectfor its stated term,unless the parties agree to amend it. However, there is a $10,000 cap in funding, and any money that a family has received from RAFT counts towards that. Work with your renters to provide your part of the information as soon as requested. We will use this information to improve this page. 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. Landlords can apply directly for rental assistance on behalf of eligible residents. When you submit the application, you give consent to DHCD to search other state agency databases to see if your income has already been verified by another qualifying program. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent costs, as well as future rent in limited situations. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent costs, as well as forward rent in limited situations. Better Communities. The CM will review all documents and will follow up with the service provider by email or phone if they are in need of additional documents. But if they are moving out, any number of circumstances could have kept those funds from being directed towards you. Community-based organizations will also get training in how to use the new portal. Step 2: Your LANDLORD/PROPERTY OWNER, must also submit a landlord application. Landlords should beware of a potentially problematic legal gray area built into the language of the RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition) COVID $10,000 option. The federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) stopped accepting applications on April 15, 2022. The system will automatically match the codes and bring the two parts together. As of Aug. 1 2022, households can obtain up to 12 months of assistance, capped at $10,000. If none of these are available, the applicant can self-certify. 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. Under review tells the landlord or tenant that the application portions have been matched up, and it is being reviewed for eligibility. Those administering the screening have some discretion in determining eligibility based on the tool. If you need assistance submitting an application or required documents through this portal, please refer to the corresponding document that is linked below. In other words, no, your tenant did not just keep their RAFT funds. Home / Tenants / Landlords / Helping People Apply / FAQ /. On December 12, 2022, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) launched a new online application portal for tenants and landlords to submit RAFT applications and required documents. It will include enhanced features expected to create a more user-friendly experience and increase processing efficiency. RAFT provides qualifying households with maximum benefit limit of $10,000 per household in a 12-month period. E-mail: info@metrohousingboston.org. Thank you for your website feedback! You need to contact your lender/servicer to request assistance. Please do not include personal or contact information. The RAFT COVID programs stated optionality may leave landlords who opt out exposed to litigation. Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Emergency Rental Assistance: Landlord Journeys. Charlie Baker recently announced $100 million . Please do not include personal or contact information. Visitors to these websites are encouraged to contact agency representatives, listed on the websites, to help with navigation, clarifying information and applying . contact the Housing and Community Development. They can also provide a copy of their application for unemployment insurance, documentation of loss of insurance or documentation of the death of a household member who contributed to the households income. 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. One way of proving eligibility can be by providing a months worth of pay stubs, or self-certification that this source of income is gone. A lock icon ( The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. Note that you as the landlord must provide information for the RAFT application. Say a tenant has applied for RAFT, but the landlord, unable to wait, starts eviction before receiving RAFT response. Prior to state and federal expansion during COVID-19, a family more than $4,000 in arrears with their landlord would have a hard time using RAFT funding to stave off eviction. 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. This would seem to suggest that RAFT cannot be refused even when it would not fully cover arrears. DHCD's federally funded Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) and Subsidized Housing Emergency Rental Assistance (SHERA) stopped taking new applications on April 15, 2022. Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT). 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. RAFT funds could go towards paying a security deposit, first/last months rent, even furniture, though there are caps on how much RAFT money can be used for those purchases. 2021 Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development. We will use this information to improve this page. 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). This would seem to suggest that RAFT can be refused when it does not fully cover arrears. In those cases, landlords may seek to evict before the RAFT process has begun. In addition to the documents listed above, an application for RAFT also requires documentation from your landlord/property owner. Log in or get access for as little as $3. Applicationsfor rental assistance received after April 15th will be considered for assistance under the more targeted state-fundedResidential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program, subject to fundingavailability. Tenants and landlords can use mediation to resolve their problems without any court filing, or through court referrals. Landlords should also check general income eligibility for programs. IMPORTANT: If you have multiple tenants completing applications, please make sure to respond to EACH landlord invitation email. You are entitled to a legal proceeding in which you can defend against an eviction. Please limit your input to 500 characters. This will ensure your case is . Your email address will not be published. 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. 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? 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). midland gxt1000vp4 repeater, why is there a mandatory retirement age for pilots,

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