If they have no future income, a landlord would have expectation of additional losses. oSSx3xg=]z3|3|1Y|L8fu?|O>w~>~~o>j~Vc~_yw|yw/k7w/xwq&-Gd[WW? Massachusetts' Rental Assistance for Families in Transition program, or RAFT, offers funds for eligible households facing eviction, loss of utilities or other housing . 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'); RAFT was first piloted in 2005, with a budget of $2 million for that first year. The state is relying on RAFT to help renters during the pandemic, and the nonprofit is being criticized for long delays and mounting uncertainty. Until Jan. 1, 2023, a Notice to Quit must be accompanied by information about tenants rights and rental assistance options. 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. During COVID-19, the sustainability requirement was removed (Jan. 11, 2021), and then after it was reinstated. Monday 8 AM 4 PM Note that you as the landlord must provide information for the RAFT application. The state RAFT program may provide up to up to $10,000 per household in a 12-month period for rent and other housing costs, including moving expenses. You can apply for RAFT online through the Commonwealths Central Application. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. Some page levels are currently hidden. Applicants must bring photo identification and proof of current income for all adult members of the household. The new agreement would still need tocomply with all RAFT requirements. 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. 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. CC BY-SA 4.0 MassLandlords. 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. Landlords Should Take RAFT. It's the Law - Banker & Tradesman 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. For more information on the federal ERAP, SHERA, and ERMA programs, please visit this page. RAFT can cover utilities, moving costs, and overdue rent costs, as well as forward rent in limited situations. 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? RAFT provides short-term financial assistance to low-income families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. 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. 172. HomeBASE is a program for families who are experiencing homelessness and are living in shelters. The intake form does not need to be completed in person, however. 3. Of the approximately $400 million allocated to Massachusetts in the March 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), 50% had to be spent by March 2022 to avoid clawback. The tenant does not receive funding directly. Toll-Free: 800.272.0990 In actuality, renters have racked up back rent owed of well over $20,000. 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. If none of these are available, the applicant can self-certify. 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 RAFT Program is a homelessness prevention program funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Visitors to these websites are encouraged to contact agency representatives, listed on the websites, to help with navigation, clarifying information and applying . Landlords can apply directly for rental assistance on behalf of eligible residents. Our assessment is that claims are less likely where RAFT would not fully cover arrears and future shortfall, but more likely where RAFT would. Se enfrenta al desalojo? In other words, no, your tenant did not just keep their RAFT funds. Frequently Asked Questions for Landlords about Accepting State Funded Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. Thank you! 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. Friday 8 AM 12:30 PM. First, according to mass.gov, families must be homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. So far it has generously covered over $50 million in rent arrears and going forward stipends. To learn more about eligibility, resources, and applying, homeowners can visit www.massmortgagehelp.org. Prior to COVID-19, families could obtain no more than $4,000 from RAFT within a 12-month period. Be sure to provide contact information for your landlord/property owner in your RAFT application. The two programs also serve different purposes. Since such a family is beyond stabilization with RAFT alone, such a family would likely not be eligible for any RAFT assistance at all. If youbelieve your tenant may be eligible for rental assistance, you should: Here is the information and documentation you need to provide: Tenant consent form: All adult household members must signtenant consent form, Landlord information: Address and contact Information, Reason for Application: Include documentation of housing crisis. MassLandlords has sought clarification on the likelihood of litigation of the RAFT COVID provisions optionality, in correspondence with the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD), and the state Attorney Generals office. Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Applying for Rental Assistance in Massachusetts to Avoid Eviction, Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program. If a tenant does not have an email address or access to a computer, they can still go to their regional administering agency (RAA). No eviction action was filed. 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). There are two additional tools for landlords and tenants to prevent an eviction. 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 RAFT Applications in Other Languages - Berkshire Housing Not submitted means an application has been started, but not completed and turned in. Those administering the screening have some discretion in determining eligibility based on the tool. 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. 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. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Landlords can apply directly for rental assistance on behalf of eligible tenants. Homeowners can continue to access the federal Homeowner Assistance Fund(HAF). The maximum benefit cap for RAFT is $10,000 over a 12-month period. Forgiveness of arrearages or acceptance of reduced rent are not program requirements. Paper applications will still be available at RAAs if tenants need them. RAFT - Lynn Housing Authority Office of Housing Stability - City of Revere, Massachusetts A step-by-step guide on how to apply for RAFT is available here. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. Starting Nov. 14, landlords or tenants in these areas were able to file new RAFT applications through the portal. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program, is. Image: CC BY-SA Pixabay. For greater efficiency, these documents should be submitted with the referral. The short answer is: No. 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. The CM will sometimes follow up directly with the family with clarifying questions. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. If the tenant is the one applying, the application will ask them for their landlords contact information (email or phone number). Applications processed on or after Aug. 1, 2022, are eligible to receive up to $10,000 in RAFT funds. Charlie Baker recently announced $100 million . The two pilot regions are Way Finders in the Greater Springfield region and the Housing Assistance Corporation, serving Cape Cod and the islands. RAFT, which has been around since 2005, has helped many families with things like security deposits, rent and furniture since its inception. Detail - Las Vegas Visit this page to understand what to expect when you or your tenant applies for emergency housing payment assistance. 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. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. RAFT / HAF - For Landlords - Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance 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. endstream endobj 2600 0 obj <>stream Landlords should consult their own legal counsel for advice before declining rental assistance that covers all outstanding rent arrears. 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. 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 . Free legal aid is available to assist low-income tenants with referrals, legal information, and legal representation for evictions statewide. As of April 16, 2022, the state also allowed for partial payments on behalf of the primary tenant to the landlord or utility company, for those entering co-housing situations. Households can still apply for rental assistance from the more targeted, state-funded Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program. 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.). 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. This could include families who are facing eviction. If you think RAFT could help your renter and you apply on their behalf, you will need to provide their email address. It will take between four and seven weeks to process all applications. RAFT helps all kinds of households by providing up to $10,000 per household to help preserve current housing or move to new housing. Please do not include personal or contact information. Find your regional agency and income eligibility data, Find Spanish language resources for landlords, FAQs for landlords about accepting state funded rental assistance. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. The RAFT program is open to all types of landlords, including private landlords, non-profit landlords, and government landlords. General Law 151B, the states discrimination law, bars discriminating against anyone receiving public assistance, including rental assistance. 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). Landlords can apply directly for rental assistance on behalf of eligible residents. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, How Landlords Can Apply for RAFT, is, Upload Documents or Check Application Information, Call Massachusetts 2-1-1, Informational and referral hotline at, Landlords must obtain and submit asigned tenant consent form beforeapplying for assistance., determineincome eligibility for themetro area of your property. Posted in News - 0 Comments. A Notice to Quit is NOT an eviction. Thank you for your website feedback! 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. But considering the language in discrimination law 151B, theres too much risk and vulnerability for discrimination liability to take that step hastily. If you need assistance, please contact the Housing and Community Development. 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. This included applications received prior to that date that were not processed until after the first. Better Policy. It is important to submit a complete application for RAFT to receive support quickly. If a family is eligible at this point, they must prove that the assistance they receive from RAFT will stabilize the current housing situation. In other words, a family applying for RAFT must show that after the funds are applied, they have enough income to either obtain new housing, remain in their current housing or otherwise avoid homelessness. MassLandlords interprets this to mean that a family who was facing eviction could, for example, obtain RAFT funding to get current on their rent and remain in housing, rent a new place, or use the money to pay court-ordered debts and then move in with family. RAFT provides qualifying households with up to $10,000 per household in a 12-month period to preserve current housing or move to new housing. Phone: 617.859.0400 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. If the landlord accepts, they forfeit the right to evict for six months or until June 2021. Until Jan. 1, 2023, Landlords are required to send a notice to quit for non-payment of rent. Step 2: Your LANDLORD/PROPERTY OWNER, must also submit a landlord application. To apply to Mass HAF, visit www.massmortgagehelp.org. 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. Some page levels are currently hidden. 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). . A lock icon ( E-mail: info@metrohousingboston.org. Lynn, MA 01902 Use this button to show and access all levels. Is RAFT COVID $10k Optional for Landlords? Subsidies resulting from RAFT applications during the COVID-19 pandemic were capped at 15 months total benefit. 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. Thank you for your website feedback! 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. 2021 Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Or acceptance of reduced rent for the period of the agreement? Section 8 is a housing subsidy, and RAFT is meant to be a short-term cash infusion to help families in a temporary difficult spot. If you need assistance, please contact the Housing and Community Development. Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Emergency Rental Assistance: Landlord Journeys. For households submitting applications on or after 8/1/2022, a Notice to Quit or eviction notice/court summons is required to receive assistance for overdue rent. 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. 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. Households composed of any of the following:Individuals, families with older children, couples without children, unaccompanied youth, and households of any size. Please let us know how we can improve this page. It will include enhanced features expected to create a more user-friendly experience and increase processing efficiency. The extra RAFT funds from the federal government were meant to be used within a specific amount of time. Applications already in progress continued to be processed through the system already in place. RAFT provides qualifying households with up to $10,000 per year to preserve current housing or move to new housing. 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. As a result, response times are delayed, rental assistance payments can take months, and it may be a difficult time to obtain information from administrators. Renters or landlords can apply by submitting an online application. The requirement of only one set of signatures; Reduced documentation requirements for household identification new income verification processes will allow for automatic data matching with DTA, MassHealth, or DOR (UIOnline and WageMatch). Community-based organizations will also get training in how to use the new portal. A lock icon ( The RAAs can either assist the tenant with setting up an email address or can act as a tenant advocate to get the application process started. The RAFT COVID program appears to be presented as an option for landlords to accept or decline. This was much higher than previously and since. Is RAFT COVID $10k Optional for Landlords? - MassLandlords.net Some page levels are currently hidden. "We received around by around $15 million. We also have RAFT Application walk in hours on Tuesday and Friday 9:30am-11:30am and Wednesday 1:00-3:00pm. Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program Therefore, landlords in these situations might opt not to accept the RAFT COVID extension beyond $4,000 for their tenants, in order to retain the right to evict and find new tenants. Others need 12 weeks or longer. (May only be requested if connected to one of the housing crises listed above). 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Applicants must meet certain criteria to be eligible for RAFT: Risk of homelessness/housing instability (example: applicant has received a Notice to Quit), Currently renting or moving to a new rental, Income at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI), or 60% of AMI for households who are at risk of domestic violence (you can check AMI in your city/town using this online tool). If the link above does not work (please notify us using the "Need a Hand" widget below and right), then go to the regional directly. ,h^$dXcbM/0&4EcTg$H]^A/H][LE1y After coordinating with your tenant and determining that they are eligible and have not already applied, you can start the application process by through the Central Application. Tenants and landlords can use mediation to resolve their problems without any court filing, or through court referrals. 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. For information on how to request assistance, please clickhere. RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition) The Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) program ended on December 31, 2021. The following documentation is required to apply: Furniture. If the landlord decides to go ahead with eviction, are they on shaky legal ground? 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. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a5c456cd3303e18db58e64ae9037f11f" );document.getElementById("gb405c62cf").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. During(or after)the RAFT benefit period, the tenant violates a lease clause that is unrelated to payment of rent. Residents can call 702-229-5935 if they are facing an eviction or need help applying for the RAFT program Monday-Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is highly recommended that you take that step only with the guidance of legal counsel. 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. ?kB9z Website Design by Compete Now. This will ensure your case is . Though mass.gov is not completely clear on whether current participants in the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) or Section 8 are RAFT-eligible, wording from the 2020 RAFT administrative plan states that If a family is using RAFT to move into a unit with a subsidy, proof of the total contract rent and of the tenants rent share must be provided. DHCD's federally funded Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) and Subsidized Housing Emergency Rental Assistance (SHERA) stopped taking new applications on April 15, 2022. 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). Join us! The onus is on the landlord to report a move-out to the Regional Administering Agency. This funding source no longer matters. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. Section 8 is permanent (as long as the recipient remains eligible for funding), and it guarantees the landlord will receive rent. 1411 Tremont Street Contact the Volunteer Lawyers Project for more information. If your income can be verified with government databases, you will not have to submit any additional income documentation. . Please wait at least 10 business days before calling to check on your application. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Either a landlord or a tenant may begin the RAFT application process by going to the existing landing page. 1. However, if you are unable to complete the application online, please emailhc@cmhaonline.orgor call508-752-5519, ext. 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 were eligible to reapply after that time, but had to wait 12 months from their first received payment. 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). Landlord Advocacy - Volunteer Lawyers Project Sign up with to receive important news and updates. Please let us know how we can improve this page. The RAFT program helps keep households in stable housing situations when facing eviction, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies. People applying for RAFT must do so in the region where they intend to use their RAFT benefits. Financial Assistance for Renters and Homeowners - Way Finders Blog Is RAFT COVID $10k Optional for Landlords? If your tenant created an application already, you should receive a landlord invitation email. 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. Renter advocates, who (like all attorneys) must zealously defend their clients, would likely raise the discrimination issue. RAFT Emergency Assistance - HRA - fcrhra We pointed out that RAFT has expanded to a point where it has become a primary safety net, and with that status it receives a high level of scrutiny similar to that of Section 8, the states Housing Choice Voucher Program, administered by DHCDs Division of Rental Assistance. We will use this information to improve this page. Jog I5N7=Ziph2IaL)"Q LA01A The system will automatically match the codes and bring the two parts together. Renters or landlords can apply by submitting an online application. Then, during the case, RAFT responds, offering an amount of rental assistance funds, eventually, that will cure nonpayment. Your support is critical to help alleviate and prevent the impact of homelessness in Boston. Gov. If your application is missing required information or documentation, staff from your local RAA will reach out to you to complete the application, which will add to the processing time for your application. RAFT provides qualifying households with maximum benefit limit of $10,000 per household in a 12-month period. 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 Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Applying for Rental Assistance in Massachusetts to Avoid Eviction, contact the Housing and Community Development. This would seem to suggest that RAFT cannot be refused even when it would not fully cover arrears. Landlords can begin the application process . IMPORTANT: If you have multiple tenants completing applications, please make sure to respond to EACH landlord invitation email. Applications with all required information and documentation will be processed more quickly than those with missing information and documentation. RAFT provides qualifying households with maximum benefit limit of $10,000 per household in a 12-month period.
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